Chelsea’s pre-season campaign culminated in a resounding 4-1 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, securing the VisitMalta Weekender trophy and setting the stage for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. The match, a dominant display by the Blues, was punctuated by an early own goal from Milan’s Andrei Coubis, a brace from João Pedro, and a red card for Coubis that left Milan playing with ten men for the majority of the match. This comfortable win against a traditionally strong opponent underscores Chelsea’s preparedness for the upcoming season and hints at the potential of their revitalized squad.
The match unfolded swiftly in Chelsea’s favor. Just five minutes into the game, Andrei Coubis, under pressure from Chelsea’s attack, inadvertently headed the ball into his own net, gifting the home side an early lead. This mishap set the tone for Milan’s disastrous start. The Blues capitalized on their momentum just three minutes later when João Pedro, continuing his impressive pre-season form, nodded in a precise cross from Pedro Neto, bringing his goal tally to an impressive five goals in five appearances. This early two-goal cushion provided Chelsea with a comfortable platform to control the game.
Milan’s woes were compounded in the 18th minute when Coubis received a straight red card for hauling down Pedro in the penalty area. This dismissal left Milan with the daunting task of playing with a man disadvantage for the remainder of the match, significantly hindering their ability to mount a comeback. Despite facing ten men, Milan showed resilience and attempted to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm, but the numerical advantage proved too significant to overcome.
The second half saw Chelsea further exploit their numerical advantage. Liam Delap extended Chelsea’s lead, converting a penalty after Estevao was fouled inside the box. While Milan managed a consolation goal through Youssouf Fofana, who beat Robert Sánchez to make it 3-1, it proved to be a mere blip in Chelsea’s dominant performance. Delap then capped off a strong performance by securing his brace with a composed finish in the final moments of the match, solidifying the 4-1 victory.
This pre-season finale showcased several positive signs for Chelsea. João Pedro’s continued goal-scoring prowess suggests he could be a key contributor in the upcoming season. The midfield’s creativity in supplying chances and the defense’s ability to largely contain Milan, even before the red card, point to a well-rounded squad. The convincing win against a team of Milan’s caliber, even in a pre-season setting, provides a confidence boost and allows the team to enter the competitive season with positive momentum.
Chelsea concludes their pre-season campaign unbeaten, a testament to their preparations and the squad’s current form. The victory against Milan, coupled with their other pre-season results, suggests that the team is gelling well and has the potential to challenge for honors in the upcoming season. The real test, however, begins with their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. This match will be a crucial early indicator of Chelsea’s ability to translate their pre-season form into competitive results and will set the tone for their campaign. With a revitalized squad and a convincing pre-season behind them, Chelsea appears poised for a strong start to the Premier League season.
