Chelsea arrives in Jakarta for pre-season fixture
Chelsea has arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the third leg of their summer tour. The team, led by Xabi Alonso, touched down in the country’s capital this afternoon after spending six days in Hong Kong. Their time in Hong Kong included a match against Serie A side Juventus, which drew over 43,000 supporters.
Upon arrival, the Blues proceeded to their hotel for a late lunch before heading to the GBK Stadium for an open training session. Ahead of their pre-season contest against AC Milan, Alonso and Marco Palestra participated in pre-match press conferences. Alonso noted the warm reception the team received, highlighting the global support for football and Chelsea.
Palestra, a summer signing, spoke about his integration into the squad, expressing confidence after playing every game in Serie A last season for Cagliari. He thanked the staff, Alonso, and his teammates for their support since his arrival. The upcoming match against AC Milan is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, and will be available for live viewing on CFC+.
AC Milan prepares for significant pre-season test
AC Milan is set to face what is described as their most significant pre-season test so far against Chelsea in Jakarta. The Italian club’s pre-season has included two draws against Celtic and Inter. While some positive signs have emerged from these matches, observations also indicate areas needing improvement before the transfer window closes.
Ruben Amorim, Milan’s coach, will encounter a familiar opponent in Chelsea, though the squad compositions have changed since he last faced them as the head coach of Manchester United. The anticipated lineup for the match is based on previous performances, with some suggested changes focusing on player assessment and rotation due to the demanding schedule.
One proposed adjustment for Milan’s defence involves playing Filippo Terracciano on the right side of a back three, despite expectations that Valeri Valdimirov might start. Terracciano has shown solid performances in previous appearances during this pre-season. The midfield could see Alexis Saelemaekers trialled at left-wing back, where he would face Chelsea’s Marco Palestra.
Additionally, Yunus Musah could be deployed on the right wing-back position, offering an opportunity to assess his suitability for the role, especially against players like Mudryk. In the central midfield, starting Ardon Jashari and Luka Modric together is suggested to evaluate their partnership, although Christian Comotto is also a consideration. The forward line is expected to remain unchanged, with a potential cameo for Samuel Chukwueze behind the striker.
Upcoming fixtures for both clubs
Following the match against AC Milan, Chelsea has another fixture scheduled for Sunday against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. The team’s training session at the GBK Stadium included various drills for the players, observed by invited supporters. After the session, players engaged with fans, signing shirts and posing for photographs, before returning to their hotel to prepare for their fourth fixture of the tour.
The pre-season schedule for AC Milan also continues, with the match against Chelsea serving as a crucial part of their preparations. The team’s performances in their previous drawn games against Celtic and Inter have provided insights into areas for development. The upcoming fixture against Chelsea in Jakarta is a key component of their pre-season assessments.
Other club friendlies scheduled for Saturday include KasımpaÅa versus Samsunspor at 17:00, Elche versus Toulouse at 08:30, and Albacete versus Real Murcia at 09:00. The Chelsea versus AC Milan match is part of a busy pre-season period for both clubs as they prepare for the forthcoming campaign.
The pre-season activity extends to Sunday with various matches, including Huesca II versus Cuarte at 08:00 and Alcorcón versus Navalcarnero at 09:00.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
