Chelsea Beats Juventus, 1-0

Didier Drogba rediscovered his bite as Chelsea drew first blood at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast striker pounced early in the first half to earn a crucial first leg lead, his first in 10 games.

With John Terry marshalling the troops at the back, Guus Hiddink’s men travel to Turin having avoided conceding an away goal.

Former Chelsea boss, Claudio Ranieri, was given a warm reception by the home fans before the game, but it was Hiddink, who took charge of the Blues for the first time at home and won the tactical battle.

Drogba, starting upfront alongside Nicolas Anelka, enjoyed a bright early spell and almost opened the scoring when his free header flew just over, but he didn’t have to wait long to atone for the error, firing low past Gigi Buffon after a cracking through-ball from Salomon Kalou.

Juve then responded, with Petr Cech called into action in the 21^st minute when he tipped an Alessandro Del Piero round the post.

The Italians then pressed either side of the break, with Chelsea showing grit in the tackle to deny their visitors.

Drogba enjoyed a great chance to double the lead on 50-minutes, when another header flew over from another Bosingwa cross. Three minutes later and the striker felt he should have had a penalty, when he was brought down by Legrottaglie.

There was a panic for the Blues on the hour-mark, however, when Cech fluffed a free-kick from from Del Piero only for Terry to hack clear.