Pre Season: Real Madrid beat Chelsea
Real Madrid 2 - 1 Chelsea
First-half goals from Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz secured a win for Madrid despite Noni Madueke’s header, exposing Chelsea’s defensive frailties once again.
Chelsea have conceded 12 goals across five pre-season games in America, having gone 4-0 down in two of those matches and managing to win just one.
Ceballos capitalised on a deflected Lucas Vazquez shot to score in the 19th minute. Eight minutes later, Diaz rounded the new goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen to score from a tight angle past the Dane, who was making his first start at the Bank of America Stadium.
Chelsea pulled one back in the 39th minute as Madueke headed in Enzo Fernandez’s cross at the far post.
Maresca made no substitutions at half-time, but his slightly adjusted team appeared more solid, playing out a dull goalless second half. The best chance of the half was a missed one-on-one opportunity for Christopher Nkunku.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were still without many of their star players, but wide attacker Vinicius Jr excelled in the absence of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, who are expected to return to training as early as tomorrow. Both sides flew back to Europe immediately after the match.
Chelsea next face Inter Milan in their final friendly at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, before their Premier League opener at home against champions Manchester City on 18 August.
Madrid will next play Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on Wednesday, 14 August. This match pits the Champions League winners against the Europa League winners, acting as a curtain-raiser for European competitions.
Defensive issues persist for Chelsea
Chelsea conceded 63 goals under Mauricio Pochettino in the league last season, setting an unwanted club record for the Premier League era.
This trend of not pressing with intensity and allowing quality players – such as those from Celtic, Manchester City, and Madrid on this tour – time on the ball to exploit them has continued.
The new boss has been trying to implement his system and style, but several individual mistakes in the United States have directly led to goals being conceded.
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Vinicius Jr shines again
Brazilian superstar Vinicius Jr reminded the 55,000-strong crowd, predominantly Madrid supporters, of his class ahead of Mbappe’s imminent arrival.
This was Vinicius’ first start in pre-season following his involvement in the Copa America, and he put on a show for those in attendance. He created several chances with his typical work rate in pressing and making runs behind Chelsea’s high defensive line.
He curled his first effort just wide, then forced a mistake in the box which led to a huge missed chance for Diaz. His through-ball assist provided another opportunity, which the 25-year-old Moroccan midfielder converted.
Mbappe may soon become the focus, with England’s star midfielder Bellingham also in the squad, but Vinicius remains one of the most exciting attackers in the world and a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Premier League: Summer 2024 news and stories (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
