Why Chelsea could be singing the Champions League blues

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea's dramatic victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, sealed with a last minute goal by Victor Moses, places their Champions League fate in their own hands.

A draw in Turin in two weeks time against Juventus will mean a win over Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge in their final group game will see them progress.

But a nightmare scenario could arise if Chelsea lose in Turin on Tuesday 20 November and Shakhtar win in Nordsjaelland, as they are expected to.

Those results would mean Juventus and Shakhtar could simply play out a draw in Ukraine in their final match of the group stage to ensure they both progressed to the knock-out phase. Chelsea know that the Italians are the masters of eking out a point and should the scenario present itself, it would be folly to bet against it and would mean watching the Old Lady progress to the next round along with the smooth passing Ukrainians.

Should Chelsea not make it to the knock-out phase, they would be the first reigning European champions to fail to progress from their group. For a club whose owner puts so much emphasis on Europe, it is an unthinkable scenario for Roberto Di Matteo.