Oscar shines, Juve fight back
21 Sep 2012 3:16 AM GMT
Juventus stunned Champions League holders Chelsea as Fabio Quagliarella’s late strike rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and ruined Oscar’s command performance for the Blues on Wednesday.
Oscar marked his first start for Chelsea with an impressive brace that included a stunning solo effort to fire Roberto Di Matteo’s side into a 2-0 lead before half-time in their Group E opener.
But the Brazil midfielder’s heroics were in vain thanks to a gutsy recovery from the Italian champions, who reduced the deficit before the break through Arturo Vidal and salvaged a point with 10 minutes left thanks to Quagliarella’s clinical finish.
While Blues boss Di Matteo, who splashed out £25 million to sign Oscar from Internacional during the close-season, will have been encouraged by his new recruit’s eye-catching display, it was Chelsea’s defensive frailties that were the defining factor. The Champions League trophy was paraded around Stamford Bridge by military personnel just before kick-off. And the fond memories of their final triumph over Bayern Munich in May seemed to inspire Di Matteo’s side as they set the early tempo. ‘It was a great first start for Oscar. We thought it was the right game to start him,’ Di Matteo said. ‘He did a perfect job tactically and scored two goals. The second one was a wonderful goal.
Di Matteo was less impressed with his defenders however and admitted Chelsea had paid the price for some lacklustre marking and careless passing.
‘We feel disappointed and a little bit deflated,’ he said. ‘We were in a great position to win the game but we only came away with a draw.
Juventus assistant coach Massimo Carrera was delighted with the way the Turin club performed on their return to the Champions League after a three-year absence.
‘We did well tonight. We were in terrific physical condition and that is how we turned the game around. At two goals down we didn’t lose confidence and kept fighting,’ said Carrera.
Oscar marked his first start for Chelsea with an impressive brace that included a stunning solo effort to fire Roberto Di Matteo’s side into a 2-0 lead before half-time in their Group E opener.
But the Brazil midfielder’s heroics were in vain thanks to a gutsy recovery from the Italian champions, who reduced the deficit before the break through Arturo Vidal and salvaged a point with 10 minutes left thanks to Quagliarella’s clinical finish.
While Blues boss Di Matteo, who splashed out £25 million to sign Oscar from Internacional during the close-season, will have been encouraged by his new recruit’s eye-catching display, it was Chelsea’s defensive frailties that were the defining factor. The Champions League trophy was paraded around Stamford Bridge by military personnel just before kick-off. And the fond memories of their final triumph over Bayern Munich in May seemed to inspire Di Matteo’s side as they set the early tempo. ‘It was a great first start for Oscar. We thought it was the right game to start him,’ Di Matteo said. ‘He did a perfect job tactically and scored two goals. The second one was a wonderful goal.
Di Matteo was less impressed with his defenders however and admitted Chelsea had paid the price for some lacklustre marking and careless passing.
‘We feel disappointed and a little bit deflated,’ he said. ‘We were in a great position to win the game but we only came away with a draw.
Juventus assistant coach Massimo Carrera was delighted with the way the Turin club performed on their return to the Champions League after a three-year absence.
‘We did well tonight. We were in terrific physical condition and that is how we turned the game around. At two goals down we didn’t lose confidence and kept fighting,’ said Carrera.
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