Both teams have the same number of points (12), far ahead of Zenit Saint Petersburg (4 pts) and Malmö (1 pt), but by erasing their backhand (1-0) from the first leg, the Blues have the advantage to the difference in particular purpose.

If they do not do a worse result in Russia than Juve at home against the Swedes, the Londoners will have the home advantage when they return to eighth.

And on Tuesday night's match, that would seem quite logical, as they stifled the Old Lady in intensity: in well-supported passes, in sharp calls, in physical impact ...

Juventus Turin coach Massimiliano Allegri during the Champions League group match against Chelsea on 23 November 2021 at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London Adrian DENNIS AFP

It was enough to see how Thiago Silva threw himself to release just in front of the line a small lob from Alvaro Morata who had beaten Edouard Mendy (29th), before going to hit the billboards behind the goal, to get an idea of determination put to all levels.

Despite the absence of Kaï Havertz, spared, and the presence on the bench, at kick-off, of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner or, more surprisingly, of Mason Mount, Chelsea brilliantly assumed his status title holder of the competition.

He relied on his young shoots, Trevoh Chalobah opening the scoring on a corner (1-0, 25th), before Reece James doubled the mark with a cross strike (2-0, 55th) and Callum Hudson-Odoi does not drive home the point after a very good job from Ruben Loftus-Cheek who took the place of Kanté (3-0, 58th).

The joy of Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi after scoring the 3rd goal against Juventus Turin in their Champions League group match on 23 November 2021 at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London Adrian DENNIS AFP

These four players joined the Blues when they were between six and eight years old and allowed Chelsea to have, for the first time in their history, three English scorers in a Champions League game.

At the very end of the match, the German Timo Werner, who entered the game, gave a little international touch to the score on a pass from the Moroccan Hakim Zyiech (4-0, 90th + 5).

The only downsides: the injuries of N'Golo Kanté and Ben Chilwell.

Thomas Tuchel explained after the meeting to BT Sports that the left-back "felt a great pain, like N'Golo, unfortunately, as if he had twisted his knee".

The possibility of making five changes in the Champions League has undoubtedly prompted the Blues to be cautious, since Kanté did not limp when he left, while the important meetings follow one another with the reception of Manchester United on Sunday in the league. .

But with its mix of generations and origins, Chelsea, which also dominates the English championship, has something to nurture great ambitions in the European Cup.

© 2021 AFP