Drogba v Juventus, thrashing Lazio, Dennis Wise at the San Siro and more of Chelsea in Italy
Chelsea head to Turin for their crunch Champions League clash against Juventus, sitting joint top with Shakhtar in a tight Group E and just one point ahead of Juve in third. With two fixtures left, Roberto Di Matteo's men face the prospect of crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage should they lose in Italy. Chelsea need an encouraging result if they are to ensure progression to the knockout stages, but as history dictates, Italy hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Blues...
Napoli 3-1 Chelsea: 2011/12 Champions League round 16, first leg
Last season's visit to Naples ultimately proved to be the final nail in Andre Villas-Boas' coffin, as Chelsea fell 3-1 to Napoli. While rumours suggesting the Portuguese boss had lost his dressing room circulated, AVB did himself no favours by alienating his experienced stars, leaving the likes of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard on the bench. Chelsea were outgunned and played off of the park by Napoli and following a change of management, the Blues were to get their revenge in the second leg, winning 4-1 at Stamford Bridge and going on to dramatically win the competition.
Inter 2-1 Chelsea: 2009/10 Champions League round 16, first leg
When Chelsea were drawn against Inter in the last 16 of the 2009/10 Champions League, the football world licked its lips at the prospect of Jose Mourinho squaring up against his former side. It would be Mourinho who would take centre stage and come out on top, as Inter grabbed a narrow 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso. Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope with an away goal, but Inter's victory would ultimately help pave the way to Champions League glory.
Juventus 2-2 Chelsea: 2008/09 Champions League round 16, second leg
The last time Chelsea played in Turin, the Blues managed to squeeze past Juventus to book a spot in the Champions League quarter final. It was advantage Chelsea following a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge two weeks prior, but they were made to work by a Juventus side who had it all to do in Italy. Despite goals from Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero, Michael Essien's away goal all but ensured progression for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, before Didier Drogba wrapped it up with a late equaliser.
Roma 3-1 Chelsea: 2008/09 Champions League group stage
The last time Chelsea faced an Italian side in the group stages of the Champions League was in 2008, when the Blues were on the receiving end of a surprise defeat by Roma. Chelsea were in need of a victory as they headed to Rome, and left with their European hopes hanging in the balance, after a Mirko Vucinic brace sank the Blues. Fortunately for Scolari and co, the defeat did not prove costly and Chelsea managed to sneak into the knockout stages following a final round victory against Cluj, then going all the way to the semi final, only to be eliminated in controversial circumstances by Barcelona.
Lazio 0-4 Chelsea: 2003/04 Champions League group stage
Arguably Chelsea's greatest Champions League moment in Italy came during their visit to Rome in 2003. The 2003/04 campaign was the club's first under the ownership of Roman Abramovich and their raft of new talent would propel them to a resounding 4-0 victory thanks to goals from Hernan Crespo, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Damien Duff and Frank Lampard. It was a sign of things to come for Claudio Ranieri's side, who as well as Crespo, boasted such names such as Adrian Mutu and Juan Sebastian Veron and dominated their group, reaching the semi final before losing to Monaco.
Milan 1-1 Chelsea: 1999/00 Champions League group stage
Chelsea's first Champions League visit to Italy saw them travel to the San Siro to face a much fancied Milan team. Prior to the age of Russian billionaires and star studded line-ups, the Blues made a great account of themselves and proved they could mix it with Europe's elite clubs by coming from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw. The game was a tough affair for both sides, but will be remembered by Chelsea fans at least for Dennis Wise's brilliant equaliser with 10 minutes to go.
How will Chelsea fare against Juventus? Will they make it out of the group stages? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below...