Our penultimate UEFA Youth League group-stage game sees us face Juventus on Tuesday afternoon, a game being streamed live and for free on Chelsea platforms...
The game will be held at Cobham and will kick-off 3pm (UK time). Andy Myers's side currently trail the Italians by one point in Group H, with top spot securing a direct place in the last-16 while group runners-up face a play-off against a side from the Domestic Champions pathway.
Nevertheless, a point will secure a top-two finish for the young Blues, who were beaten 3-1 in Turin back in September.
Last time out
Our last game in this competition was a comprehensive 5-0 win away to Malmo. Goals from Bryan Fiabema (2), Lewis Hall, Alfie Gilchrist and Charlie Webster saw us win in Sweden in emphatic fashion.
The Old Lady will prove to be a much more difficult test but Myers and the coaching team will be looking to use the confidence in the squad and translate that into a victory at Cobham.
Trip to Turin
There was plenty to take from our last encounter with the Italian side as we came up short in a 3-1 loss. Jayden Wareham did come off the bench and grab a goal in that game but the hosts ran out winners with a third goal late on.
A familiar face in Samuel Illing-Junior will return to his former home, the tricky winger now playing a major part in the Juventus campaign. Mattias Soule is another who proved difficult to contain as he orchestrated a number of his side's attacks. Finally, Gabriele Mulazzi is Juve's top goalscorer in the Youth League with three goals so far. Stopping him will go a long way in securing a positive result in this one.
Team news
Myers will have a huge pool of players to select from for this game so it will be interesting to see the formation and the players he goes with from the start.
One option in particular who has been pushing for a start with impressive displays for our Under-18s and positive cameos in this Under-19 competition is Swedish midfielder Edwin Andersson and we caught up with him to discussĀ his form this season and the upcoming game against Juventus this afternoon.
'I think I've played really well this season so I'm happy with my form,' he said.
'The team is winning games and I am contributing. I'm focused on taking each game as it comes and each opportunity to play and making the most of it.'
When asked about his move from being a winger to a wing-back, he said, 'I love it here. I still get the chance to take on opponents one versus one but I have also improved my defending. All my coaches tell me to positive with the ball so I really like the position.'
Andersson has been an influential part of the current Under-18 campaign as our youngsters currently sit top of that table. With these performances, he has been pushing for a start in the Youth League, which he is yet to do this season.
'I try to do what is best for the team, whether I am starting, on the bench or not in the squad,' he added. 'The coaches know what they are doing and I do my best to show that I deserve a place in the team. I came on against Malmo, which was special for me, so hopefully I continue doing what I am doing.'
You can catch Andersson and the rest of the team today live across Chelsea platforms today, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm this afternoon.