Chelsea are likely to link up strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka after both impressed in the Aston Villa win.
New coach Guus Hiddink faces one of his predecessors – Claudio Ranieri – who brings his side to Stamford Bridge. Juventus’s Alessandro Del Piero will start after a rest at the weekend and will probably partner Amauri up front.
David Trezeguet may make the bench after returning from a knee problem and former Chelsea man Tiago will line up with Mohamed Sissoko in midfield.
Drogba, the 30-year-old Ivory Coast forward, is determined to make his mark after the disappointment in last season’s Champions League final loss against Manchester United.
“My desire to win this trophy is bigger than ever, having lost twice in the semi-finals and once in the final,” he told French website Lequipe. It is a difficult competition for us. Memories of Moscow are hard to erase, I still think about it. Our supporters deserve to have won the Champions League and this year we will play the same way to reach the final and this time we will bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge.”
BIG MATCH STATS
This will be the first encounter between the two clubs.
Chelsea have won five, lost one and drawn one of their seven home matches against Italian clubs in European competition.
Juventus have lost their last five away matches against English clubs in European competition. They have won only two of their 17 games on English soil. Their last win was on 20 November 1996 when they beat Manchester United 0-1 thanks to an Alessandro Del Piero penalty.
CLUB FORM
CHELSEA
Won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 and 1998. Last year, they were losing finalists in the Champions League.
This is their sixth successive season, and their seventh in total that they have qualified for the knockout phase. They overcame the first knockout round four times.
Unbeaten in their last 15 CL home matches and have won their last six. Their last home defeat in the CL was on 22 February 2006 against FC Barcelona (1-2).
This will be Chelsea’s 150th match in all European competitions.
JUVENTUS
Won the Champions Cup/Champions League in 1985 and 1996. The silverware was lifted in 1996 in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, where this year’s final will be staged.
Lost 49 matches in Champions Cup/Champions League.
Reached the knockout phase for the ninth time, having successfully negotiated the first knockout round eight times.
Unbeaten in seven CL matches. Their last European defeat was on 28 March 2006; 2-0, away to Arsenal.
Not lost in three CL away matches.
Scored seven goals in the group phase this season. All other clubs that have qualified for the second round scored more goals.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
Chelsea’s Didier Drogba can play his 50th CL match. He’s scored 24 CL goals, including one on his debut on 16 September 2003 in Olympique Marseille’s 4-2 loss at Real Madrid.
John Terry will be suspended for the Londoners’ return leg if booked.
Alessandro Del Piero played in all four of Juve’s CL finals, winning the trophy in 1996.
Amauri will be suspended if booked.
