Chelsea v Juventus preview: Juan Mata returns as Blues begin Champions League defence

John Terry and John Obi Mikel shrugged off knocks picked up in Saturday's goalless Premier League draw at QPR, while Marko Marin (hamstring) was still working his way back to full fitness.

Juan Mata has returned to the fold after being given a complete rest from the start of the international break.

Juventus, returning to the Champions League for the first time in three years, are unbeaten in Serie A since the end of last season, and will offer a stern test of the Blues' credentials.

While Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo will not take the Italians lightly, he stressed that every team his side face this season will up their game, purely because they are playing the defending champions.

"Every opposition is going to play with extra motivation playing against the holders of the Champions League. So it makes our lives more difficult," di Matteo said.

"I'm aware no team has defended the trophy and I'm not surprised because it's such a difficult competition to win.

"To win it twice in a row has proven impossible so far, because it's so competitive."

Chelsea drew their last Premier League match at west London rivals QPR. Despite that hiccup they still top the English top flight with 10 points from the opening four games of the season.

Juventus might consider anything earned form this match a bonus, given that Chelsea won all six of their home games in the Champions League last season as they ran out surprise winners, triumphing on a penalty shootout in the final against Bayern Munich.