Federico Chiesa scored a wonderful strike to stun a Chelsea side that dominated possession in Turin, but had very few genuine chances, as Juventus boss Max Allegri taught Thomas Tuchel a tactical masterclass.
The Bianconeri had to completely revamp with Federico Bernardeschi as a False 9 in a 4-3-3, because Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala, Aaron Ramsey, Kaio Jorge and Arthur Melo were all unavailable, leaving Moise Kean on the bench. The reigning Champions League holders made the trip without N’Golo Kante, who tested positive for COVID-19, Reece James, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic, but started Italy international Jorginho.
Ex-Inter striker Romelu Lukaku tested Wojciech Szczesny with an early corner routine, but for all Chelsea’s territorial dominance, Juve went very close on the counter with Federico Chiesa’s angled drive skimming the far post and Adrien Rabiot blasting over.
Bernardeschi’s free kick was charged down, as was the Thiago Silva effort from a corner.
Within 11 seconds of the restart, Juventus had taken the lead. Chelsea were sluggish after a substitution and did not even get a touch. Bernardeschi’s through ball found Chiesa to hold off Antonio Rudiger and blast into the roof of the net from close range.
WOOOOOW! 😱
Just 🔟 seconds after the restart Juventus have taken the lead!
Federico Chiesa slams the ball home. An emphatic finish! 💥 pic.twitter.com/TkGaqNQwD9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 29, 2021
Chelsea began to pin Juve back as the half wore on, desperately trying to get back into this game, but again Szczesny had very little to do.
In fact, Juventus should’ve made it 2-0 on 63 minutes when Adrien Rabiot’s cross-field pass was volleyed back across the face of goal by Cuadrado, but Bernardeschi somehow managed to get his run all wrong and failed to tap in from six yards.
Lukaku’s header was well wide, with Moise Kean’s shot charged down by Ross Barkley in the box. Chelsea finally created a genuine scoring opportunity on 83 minutes, Lukaku springing the offside trap, but Leonardo Bonucci did just enough to put him off and he fired over from eight yards.
Kai Havertz nodded two big chances over from a corner, including with the last kick of the game.
Juventus 1-0 Chelsea
Chiesa 46 (J)
It looks like Ronaldo was the problem at JUVE…..it certainly is going much better for JUVE in the CL without him…..
ma boy!!
Grande Juve everyone expected us to get smashed but we prevailed. To all you haters give Allegri time. On the flip side Rabiot has proved he is utterly useless. All he had to do was pass the ball to Bernadeschi when we had that glorious chance in the first half. As for Berna, I do not care that he set up our boy Chiesa. How can he miss a tap in from 5 yards out. Now we will play Torino and probably put in a shocking performance. Against the big teams we raise our games.
Rabiot work level was shocking. Can’t pass, loses the ball and little effort tackling the opponents.
@JuveFella Group stage wasn’t the problem in recent history. It’s the later rounds we need the team to keep playing well. These are games they should win.
Great win, but like Man Utd’s win, it’s covering up the cracks a bit. Juve on course to qualify now. Atalanta in a decent position too. Inter in trouble, Milan in serious trouble.
Great win for us. We held our nerve, wore our diapers (like me) correctly when defending and Szcensy learnt how to catch the ball tonight.