Gazzetta saying that Matri has the advantage right now to start over Giovinco
That would be a very odd move.
Can't see it happening.
If it's true, i think it's down to Conte wanting a physical presence in our attack.
It would be, but it'd be a mistake.
There's only any point in going for a more physical player if that player is strong enough to compete with the opposition CBs and I can't imagine Matri faring terribly well playing with his back to goal against Terry and Luiz.
Di Matteo thinks we will sit back.
Di Matteo competely contradicts himself:
“Their side will be similar to the one that came here a few years ago, determined to sit back, but they will try to impose their football, they like to get on the ball but we will try to limit their spaces on the pitch.”
I actually expect Chelski to play a 4-3-3 with Mata if he's fit. Dont think a Mikel - Lamepard midfield would do good for them.
Mikel-Lampard has been their normal midfield two.
And they have, pretty consistently, chosen to play 4-2-3-1, with one 'defensive' winger (Ramires on the right or Bertrand on the left) and Mata and Hazard as the attacking midfield three.
I wouldn't expect them to change that.
Have to say, I'm finding it very hard to come up with a prediction for this game because I really don't know how Chelsea will approach the game.
Will they go out to attack and control the game like they have tended to in the EPL this season or will they adopt a more defensive, counter-attacking approach?
My gut feeling is that (particularly after taking a hiding in the Super Cup) they will start the game pretty cautiously, so Juve will be able to control possession quite a lot of the time (if they want to) and will have to stay focused and avoid giving the ball away in dangerous positions.
Another reason to think Chelsea may play quite cautiously is that they may well think, having watched Juve this season, that they don't actually need to go and attack and try to score goals from open play to win the game.
Between Juve's awful defending of set-pieces and Chelsea having guys like Terry and Ivanovic, they may be quite happy just to wait for set-piece chances rather than allowing the game to open up at all.