Chelsea grind out Juve draw to progress
Michael Essien scored his first goal since last April
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Tuesday, 10, Mar 2009 09:58
Didier Drogba grabbed a crucial second-half goal as Chelsea came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Juventus and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Chelsea got off to the worst possible start as they lost their first-leg one goal advantage inside 20 minutes. David Trezeguet chested the ball down and played the it through for Vincenzo Iaquinta who finished well past Petr Cech.
The Chelsea midfield welcomed back Michael Essien but they were unable to keep hold of the ball for long spells, with Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack in particular having a poor first-half.
Despite being second best for much of the first period, Chelsea were unlucky to be denied a goal on the half-hour mark. Drogba tried to guide a free-kick into the near post which Gianluigi Buffon managed to get both hands on but dragged the ball back into his net. But the referee decided the entire ball hadn't crossed the goal-line.
But last season's finalist were not to be denied and got their goal only two minutes later. Frank Lampard let loose with a trademark volley which Buffon could only palm on to the underside of the bar and Essien was on hand to poke the ball home.
Juventus now needed two goals in order to progress and they nearly got one of when a number neat passes resulted in Hasan Salihamidzic playing the ball into the area and Trezeguet got his head on to the ball, but Cech was there to make a fine save.
The home side had Giorigo Chiellini sent-off after he was given a second yellow card for arguing with the referee. But a minute later the Turin giants got a lifeline when Juliano Belletti gave a penalty by needlessly handling an Alessandro Del Piero free-kick. The Juve skipper rolled the ball past Cech to give his side a glimmer of hope.
But Chelsea made their passage into the quarter-finals safe when Belletti played a low ball into the Juventus penalty area from the right-wing and Droga got in front of the defenders and dived in to slot the ball past Buffon.