Gianfranco Zola explains stopping Romelu Lukaku won’t be enough for Juventus to neutralise Chelsea, while Giorgio Chiellini is ‘the last of the great markers.’
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
While Juve have an injury crisis leaving Moise Kean as the only available striker, the Blues make the trip without N’Golo Kante, who tested positive for COVID-19.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game, as Chelsea are strong in every area, even if this last-minute loss of Kante is going to be damaging,” former Chelsea star and assistant manager Zola told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“The English teams are in great shape and Juve will need something special to win this game.”
Chelsea had already won the Champions League last season, but also reinforced with the arrival of Lukaku from Inter, at a cost of €115m.
“Thomas Tuchel’s squad was of the highest quality, but it did have a few gaps, above all a reference point in attack. In Lukaku, they signed probably the best available option.”
During his time at Inter, and when playing for Belgium at UEFA EURO 2020, Lukaku has often struggled against Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
“All forwards struggle against Giorgio! He’s like a Highlander, he never ages and is perhaps the last of the great markers in defending,” smiled Zola.
“Chelsea are not just Lukaku, though, as they can also rely on Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, amongst others, and they are all dangerous elements.”
Federico Chiesa could well start in a more attacking role today to fill in for injured Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata.
“He can still improve, as he should vary his moves a bit more. If he listens to Allegri, he’ll become a top level player, even superior to the level he has already reached.”