Juventus vs Chelsea preview - Luiz and co can't dwell on Baggies blow

Posted Tuesday, November 20, 2012 by PA

Chelsea defender David Luiz insists he and his team-mates have to let go their anger at losing to West Brom on Saturday and focus instead on the vital Champions League match away to Juventus.

The Brazilian accepts Chelsea are facing "the most important game in the group" in their bid to reach the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition, and that there is no time to dwell on their Hawthorns setback - the fourth Premier League game in a row which the Blues have not won.

"The dressing-room reaction after the game was that we were upset and angry," Luiz said. "We were disappointed because we should have won the game.

"There were raised voices but that is normal. This is a big club and we don't like to lose games. We missed the moment but all we can do now is look ahead to the next game.

"What's past is past and the future is Juventus. It will be difficult and Juventus are a great team. They are just one point behind us.

"This is the most important game in the group."

Roberto Di Matteo must decide whether to axe Fernando Torres.

Torres was hauled off during the Baggies defeat after another miserable performance and Di Matteo could start Daniel Sturridge in his place.

Ashley Cole should return after recovering from his hamstring injury, as should several other rested players but John Terry (knee) and Frank Lampard (calf) were left in London.

Di Matteo received a welcome vote of confidence ahead of the match - from the opposition.

Juve star Claudio Marchisio and assistant manager Angelo Alessio both hailed the job done by their fellow Italian at Stamford Bridge, the latter confident Di Matteo would not be sacked if the European champions failed to reach the knockout stages.

And that was exactly the outcome Marchisio and Alessio were seeking as they plotted the win over Chelsea that would put their own side on the brink of qualifying at the holders' expense.

Despite Di Matteo securing the Blues' first-ever Champions League title in May, there is no telling how owner Roman Abramovich would respond to them becoming the first holders to crash out before Christmas.

But Alessio, performing the duties of Juve manager Antonio Conte during the remainder of the latter's ban over the `Calcioscommesse' match-fixing scandal, said of Di Matteo: "He did something extraordinary last season and he is showing it again this year.

"We're pleased when an Italian coach does so well in England. We are pleased with what he has done and what he is doing.

"I don't think he is actually going to lose his job if they don't qualify."

Juve are sweating over the availability of striker after Mirko Vucinic, who has been suffering with flu.