AC Milan's pre-season comes to a close with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, leaving Maresca's team feeling triumphant in their final warm-up match.
Chelsea Dominate Pre-Season Match Against AC Milan
In their final pre-season preparation before the Premier League opener, Chelsea put on a dominant display against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, winning 4-1.
The Blues' attacking performance was sharp and clinical, as they took 19 shots with 8 on target compared to Milan's 11 shots and 5 on target. Chelsea maintained 53% possession, reflecting their control over the game.
The match was influenced early when Milan defender Andrei Coubis was sent off in the 18th minute for a foul deemed to be the last man against Joao Pedro. Reece James capitalised on the numerical advantage, scoring a free-kick that resulted in an own goal by Coubis in the 5th minute.
Joao Pedro continued his strong scoring form, netting the second goal for Chelsea in the 8th minute, from a header off a Pedro Neto cross. Liam Delap, who came on after 60 minutes, made an immediate impact. He scored a penalty in the 67th minute, after Estevao was bundled over inside the box, and sealed the win with another goal in the 90th minute.
Delap's performance was impressive, as he had two shots on target, the joint-most in the match, with both of his efforts finding the net. Jamie Gittens, a recent arrival from Borussia Dortmund, had the most touches (9) in the opposition box during the match.
Chelsea's dominance was further highlighted by the xG statistics, with a higher expected goals (2.66) compared to AC Milan's (0.92). The Blues also won 6 corners and created several clear chances throughout the game.
Youssouf Fofana scored a consolation goal for AC Milan in the 70th minute, beating Robert Sanchez at his near post. Alexis Saelemaekers assisted Fofana's goal.
Chelsea will now turn their attention to their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, scheduled for next Sunday. The Blues will be looking to carry over their pre-season form into the new season.
In the context of their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Chelsea's impressive pre-season performance against AC Milan, which resulted in a 4-1 victory, showcased their dominance in European-leagues football, particularly the Premier League. The game saw Chelsea's players, including Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, demonstrating their skill and clinical finishing, with Delap scoring a penalty and a late goal, reflecting his potential impact in the upcoming Premier-League season.
