Club World Cup champions Chelsea beat AC Milan 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as Enzo Maresca’s side closed out their mini-preseason in style.
In their second of two friendlies ahead of the Premier League season and just a month since they won the Club World Cup trophy, Chelsea scored twice early thanks to an own goal from Milan’s Andrei Coubis and the brilliant Joao Pedro made it five goals in five games as a Chelsea player.
Coubis was then sent off inside the first 20 minutes for hauling down Joao Pedro who was clean through, but 10-player Milan hung in there well as Fofana pulled one back in-between a brace from second half sub Liam Delap.
Next up for Chelsea: a home game against Crystal Palace next Sunday (9am ET) to kick off the Premier League campaign. Expectation levels are rising as Maresca’s side look sharp and full of confidence after their very successful summer. Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo all looked superb, while youngster Estevao dazzled off the bench as the hype continues to build after he starred in Chelsea’s previous friendly win against Bayer Leverkusen.
Chelsea vs AC Milan score: 4-1
Coubis OG 5′, Joao Pedro 8′, Delap 67′, 90′; Fofana 70′
Chelsea vs AC Milan live updates!
Delap finishes a fine team move!
Liam Delap scores his second and Chelsea’s fourth with the final act of the game.
Estevao looks bright and is denied by Maignan
Lovely effort from the Brazilian teenager and Chelsea’s fans clearly love him already. Lots of other talented youngsters have come on amid a flurry of changes.
Fofana finishes for Milan
Lovely play on the left from Saelemaekers and he picks out the onrushing Fofana and he finishes well. Milan deserve that goal.
Estevao wins a penalty kick, which Liam Delap scores!
Liam Delap crosses to the back post and Estevao is hauled down by Yunus Musah. Milan aren’t happy with the decision. Delap drills home the penalty kick. 3-0.
Jamie Gittens smashes over
Chelsea looking to wrap things up with some counters now and Jamie Gittens curls a powerful effort just over the bar. Gittens has been okay today, but has he done enough to start on the left in the Premier League opener next weekend?
Delap, Malo Gusto, Estevao and Andrey Santos are on
Joao Pedro is replaced by Liam Delap and the former gets a lovely ovation for his efforts. He’s been brilliant. Cole Palmer, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez also come off with Estevao, Malo Gusto and Andrey Santos on.
Trevoh Chalobah is off
Chalobah went down with an injury and he’s off with Josh Acheampong on in his place. Chelsea being very careful with Chalobah in the same week that it was announced fellow center back Levi Colwill will miss most of the season due to an ACL injury.
Leao should make it 2-1
Milan work their way into the box and Fofana is clean through on goal. But he gets it all wrong and Sanchez can save. Leao is buzzing around everywhere.
Second half is underway and Chelsea have yet to make a sub, while Modric is on
Enzo Maresca is giving what is pretty much his full-strength side more minutes together in their final preseason friendly. No subs at half time for the Blues. New AC Milan midfielder, the legendary Luka Modric, is on for his first appearance.
Neto, Cucurealla go close
Maignan denies Pedro Neto superbly at the back post, while the rebound drops to Cucurella but his effort is blocked. Milan digging in.
Leao scores but he’s offside
A cross from the right is whipped in and Rafael Leao scores a superb diving header. But he is one of three Milan players who were offside when the cross came in. Chelsea’s defensive line was very impressive there. Milan have improved and have had some decent chances before half time.
Cole Palmer has been excellent
He’s nearly scored two free kicks from distance, has volleyed another spectacular effort over and Palmer is just everywhere. Chelsea look really sharp and Neto and Gittens are seeing plenty of the ball out wide.
Andrei Coubis sent off for AC Milan!
Joao Pedro spins Coubis and he’s in on goal but the young defender hauls Joao Pedro down. He’s shown a straight red card and Milan are down to 10 players. What a shocker of a first 18 minutes of this game for Coubis. From the resulting free kick Cole Palmer smashes the post. Chelsea are flying!
Joao Pedro heads home to double Chelsea’s lead!
Pedro Neto cuts in from the right and delivers a perfect cross which Joao Pedro heads home. The Brazilian continues his fine start to life at Chelsea and the hosts are 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes.
Reece James’ free kick hits Coubis and goes in!
Chelsea take an early lead as Reece James clips in a free kick and it hits AC Milan defender Coubis and goes in.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
AC Milan lineup
Maignan; Coubis, Tomori, Terracciano; Saelemaekers, Musah, Ricci, Fofana, Bartesaghi; Leao, Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea team news, focus
The Colwill injury suddenly makes the Blues thin at a position they were merely adequate in depth prior to this point. Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Trevoh Chalobah are with the club while Mamadou Sarr has been loaned to Strasbourg, Chelsea are quite deep in attack and may still add this summer as Alejandro Garnacho continues to be linked with a move to London.
AC Milan team news, focus
Milan have made four notable additions this summer. While Brighton export Pervis Estupinan and Real Madrid free transfer Luka Modric will take a lot of the headlines, A pair of 23-year-old midfielders, however, are perhaps the more intriguing additions to Milan’s project. Samuele Ricci (Torino)Ii is a box-to-box type with 10 caps for Italy who Milan are hoping gives them a true maestro for the long haul, while Swiss star Ardon Jashari arrives from Club Brugge off an impressive season in Belgium after multiple campaigns with Luzern in his home country.
Chelsea vs AC Milan prediction
Should be a fun one as both teams will almost certainly be in a dress rehearsal for meaningful action the following week. Let’s predict goals. Chelsea 2-1 AC Milan
Chelsea vs AC Milan preview
Chelsea have Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in a three-day span as Enzo Maresca has everyone back from the break earned following last month’s 3-0 upset of Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup Final.
The Blues have a bunch of new faces for this season, a figure that’s even higher if you count players they added prior to or during the Club World Cup. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, and Estevao Willian are in the fold, and the Blues continue to be linked with further additions. That list may grow as Levi Colwill has now suffered a long-term injury.
This match is AC Milan’s last friendly prior to the Coppa Italia first round against Bari at the San Siro on August 18. Max Allegri’s men are 3-0 this preseason, beating Arsenal on penalties before taking care of Liverpool and Perth Glory over 90 minutes. Ex-Chelsea men Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Fikayo Tomori give Milan plenty of familiarity with the venue.
How to watch Chelsea vs AC Milan live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Sunday (August 10)
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel/Streaming: DAZN & NBC Universo and Telemundo app in Spanish
Read the full article here