The current European champions Chelsea will be facing the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and the newcomers Nordsjaelland in the group stages of the Champions League this season. The draw for the group stages was recently conducted in Monaco and Chelsea have not been handed the best of groups this time around. Due to the fact that they will be facing the likes of the Italian champions and the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, the Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has said that it certainly not going to be easy way into the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo managed to get the team to the final of the competition last season, while also Chelsea became the surprise winners following the 4-3 penalties victory over Bayern Munich. In doing so, Roberto di Matteo brought the only trophy that has been missing from the trophy cabinet. The manager has said that it is going to be extremely difficult to win the Champions League for the second consecutive season because no team has managed, but they will try nonetheless. He has said that matches against Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk will be the ones to watch in this group stage.
“It’s not an easy group, it’s going to be tough. Juventus I know very well, champions of Italy. They play some high tempo football, some good football, and have some good players. Shakhtar because of the connection with our club doctor Paco Biosca, who spent seven years there, we know a lot as well. Nordsjaelland are probably the weakest team in the group, but I think we will have to be at our best from the first game with juventus at home,” said the Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo, who is preparing for the UEFA Super cup match against Athletico Madrid.