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.
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)