Chelsea defeated AC Milan 3-0 in a pre-season friendly match in Jakarta on Saturday. New signing Danny Welbeck led the attack for Chelsea, with Cole Palmer starting just behind him. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was named in the starting XI for Ruben Amorim's AC Milan side.
The result saw Chelsea return to winning ways under manager Xabi Alonso following previous pre-season losses to Tottenham and Juventus, where the team had struggled to create chances. Following an energetic start in Jakarta, Chelsea took control of the match and built confidence ahead of the upcoming season.
Joao Pedro brace sets up victory
Joao Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea in the second minute of first-half stoppage time with a poacher's finish between the goalposts. Pedro added his second goal in the 46th minute right after half-time, completing a brace either side of the break after entering the match with a point to prove following his quiet performance against Juventus.
Moises Caicedo scored Chelsea's third goal in the 50th minute to cap off the victory. Chelsea exerted relentless attacking pressure throughout much of the second half, pinning AC Milan back in their own half, hitting the woodwork three times, and creating chances that could have yielded seven, eight, or nine goals.
Late chances and tactical changes
The players took a hydration break in the 76th minute due to the hot weather conditions in Jakarta. Chelsea then made a tactical change in the 79th minute as Aaron Anselmino replaced Jorrel Hato, with Anselmino slotting into the right-hand side of a three-man defense.
AC Milan midfielder Samuele Ricci attempted to respond in the 82nd minute, trying to bend a shot into the top corner with the outside of his foot, but the ball flew over the crossbar. One minute later, Nicolas Jackson hit the post in the 83rd minute, becoming the third Chelsea player to strike the frame of the goal during the match.
Alonso made a triple substitution in the 86th minute, sending on Mykhailo Mudryk, Estevao Willian, and Reggie Watson to replace Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Moises Caicedo. The appearance was Mudryk's second cameo appearance for Chelsea since returning from a 20-month suspension.
Match officials added five extra minutes at full-time. Chelsea continued to press, with Estevao Willian breaking down the right-hand side of the box in the 88th minute before his shot was smothered by the goalkeeper. Moments later, Geovany Quenda hammered a long-range shot just wide, and Mamdou Sarr replaced Wesley Fofana in the final minutes.
Upcoming fixtures and schedule
Chelsea face a fast turnaround as they travel to Malaysia to play Johor Darul Ta'zim in less than 24 hours. Alonso is expected to field an entirely different starting team, offering fringe squad members an opportunity to gain match minutes.
Weekend European pre-season action also includes Manchester United taking on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden.
