Chelsea begins title defense with 2-2 draw with Juventus

Midfielder Oscar paid early returns on Chelsea’s $40,000,000 investment in him, but the defending Champions League champion had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Juventus in its opener Wednesday in London.

Oscar scored twice in the first half, scoring in the 31st minute when his deflected shot beat Gianluigi Buffon, and again in the 33rd minute when he curled a shot into the top corner of the goal.

Chelsea looked as if it would cruise to victory from there, but Juventus scored just before the first half ended when Arturo Vidal scored with a low drive.

Juventus then evened things in the 80th minute when Fabio Quagliarella beat the offside trap to make it 2-2 after John Obi Mikel lost possession trying to play the ball wide to Eden Hazard.

“We started well and it was great goal for Oscar. It was right to start him tonight, he played well tactically and the second goal was a wonderful goal,” Chelsea Coach Roberto Di Matteo said. “But we feel disappointed and a little bit deflated. We were in a fantastic position to win the game and came away with only a draw. We should have closed the game and got the win.

“But Juventus are a first-class side, they are very difficult to beat and they played very well tonight too.”

Chelsea is trying to become the first club since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to win the Champions League in successive seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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