Ranieri not too blue over Juve draw

Coach Claudio Ranieri refused to be too downhearted after the UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw handed Juventus a tie against his former employers Chelsea FC.

First return
The 57-year-old will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving the club on 31 May 2004 when Chelsea stage the first leg on Wednesday 25 February, two weeks before the tie concludes in Turin. The draw was undoubtedly not a kind one for Ranieri, but he took solace in the fact that the Premier League side would hardly be relishing an easy tie against the Bianconeri. "I can't imagine they are happy with the draw either," he said. "We'll play our game and see what happens. Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the competition. They only lost last season's final on penalties. It will be hard for us, but also very stimulating."

Chelsea past
Hired in September 2000, Ranieri helped John Terry to establish himself in the Chelsea first XI and also signed Frank Lampard from West Ham United FC. He was also the first Chelsea coach to benefit from Roman Abramovich's riches, leading a team featuring a number of big-money signings to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2004 before being replaced that summer by José Mourinho. "I don't want revenge on Roman Abramovich because I can only thank him," said Ranieri. "It was the first time in my career that I could sign expensive players. He used to tell me the only thing he cared about was that the players we signed had to be stronger than the ones we already had. I can't forget my four years at Chelsea. We will see two good games. It will be a fascinating clash. It will be useful for the Italian teams to meet English sides so we can see how we stand up alongside them."

'Good reception'
Chelsea club secretary David Barnard added: "Any team at this stage of the competition is obviously quality but it could have been a lot worse, maybe Barcelona. It obviously brings back Claudio Ranieri to the Bridge and I am sure Claudio will get a good reception from the Chelsea supporters. In Claudio's last season we actually reached the semi-finals and the Champions League means a lot to him and Chelsea."