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Chelsea's mission impossible starts against Juve

The mastermind behind last season's triumph, Roberto Di Matteo is hoping to steer Chelsea FC to an "impossible" defence, starting against a Juventus side relishing the occasion.

Chelsea's mission impossible starts against Juve
Chelsea's mission impossible starts against Juve ©UEFA.com

After Chelsea FC ended their long wait last season, the UEFA Champions League trophy will be paraded around the Stamford Bridge pitch before kick-off against Juventus on Wednesday. Roberto Di Matteo is wary of his team's initial Group E test but is aiming high nevertheless, while Bianconeri assistant coach Massimo Carrera is looking forward to seeing how the Italian champions fare in west London.

Chelsea
Manager Roberto Di Matteo
When you are at a big club like Chelsea the pressure is always on to win more trophies and have more success. Everybody was pleased to finally bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge, but that was in the past – we've done it, now we have to look forward.

Juventus have been on a fantastic unbeaten run and have some quality within their team – experienced players, young players, dynamic players. It's probably one of the most difficult fixtures you could have picked in this Champions League. They are a difficult opponent. We have three champions in our group – the Danish champions and Ukrainian champions – so it's going to be difficult.

It's a sign of the fierce competition there is in the Champions League that every year there are new strong teams coming in, like PSG and Juventus and so on. That makes it very difficult for teams to win it twice, but we'll try – try and do the impossible.

Weekend result
Saturday: Queens Park Rangers FC 0-0 Chelsea
Čech; Ivanović, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Ramires, Hazard, Bertrand (Moses 58); Torres (Sturridge 81).

• Chelsea's 100% record came to an end at Loftus Road but the Blues still top the Premier League with ten points from their opening four games. Di Matteo's men have conceded just twice in four matches while at the other end, Eden Hazard has either scored or created seven of their goals this season.

Team news
Chelsea are expected to be at full strength after John Terry (knee) and John Obi Mikel (back) recovered from minor knocks picked up against QPR. Juan Mata, rested at the weekend, is fit and available.

Juventus
Assistant coach Massimo Carrera
I am really happy to be here and we are really proud to have the opportunity to face the champions of this competition. Of course it's a big test for us and we have to work and improve, but we are really happy that we can play these sort of games.

We have spoken to the players and they know what they should and shouldn't do for tomorrow's game. We are conscious of what we need to do; these sort of games can give you a better understanding of where you are as a team.

Weekend result
Sunday: Genoa CFC 1-3 Juventus (Immobile 18; Giaccherini 61, Vučinić 78pen, Asamoah 84)
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cáceres (Lichtsteiner 76), Marchisio, Pirlo, Giaccherini, De Ceglie (Asamoah 54); Matri (Vučinić 55), Giovinco.

• Juventus scored three second-half goals as they extended their unbeaten Serie A run to 42 games, since a 1-0 defeat at Parma FC on 15 May 2011.

Team news
Simone Padoin and Simone Pepe (both thigh) are unavailable.

Match fact
Di Matteo made 34 appearances for Italy and played in Serie A for S.S. Lazio between 1993 and 1996. He scored the opening goal as Lazio beat Juventus 3-0 in Turin on 7 May 1995.

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