Chelsea concluded their pre-season tour of the USA with a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, raising further concerns over their defensive stability under new manager Enzo Maresca.
First Half: Defensive Struggles
Chelsea’s defensive issues were evident throughout the first half. Real Madrid took advantage of these shortcomings with goals from Lucas Vazquez and Dani Ceballos, followed by a strike from man-of-the-match Brahim Diaz. Chelsea managed to pull one back before halftime through Noni Madueke’s header.
Second Half: No Further Goals
The second half was less eventful, with no additional goals scored. This defeat marks Chelsea’s third loss in five pre-season matches in the USA, following heavy defeats by Manchester City and Celtic, a draw with Wrexham, and a solitary win against Club America.
Upcoming Matches
Chelsea will now return to England to host Serie A champions Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge in their final pre-season friendly before facing Manchester City again in their Premier League opener on August 18.
Match Highlights
- Early Threats: Chelsea started sharply, with Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling creating early chances.
- Opening Goal: Real Madrid’s first goal was a result of defensive lapses, with Lucas Vazquez’s blocked shot being followed up by Dani Ceballos to score.
- Second Goal: Brahim Diaz doubled Madrid’s lead with a well-timed run and finish.
- Chelsea’s Response: Noni Madueke reduced the deficit by heading in a cross from Enzo Fernandez.
Key Moments
- Reece James and the defense struggled, particularly against Vinicius Jr.
- Sterling missed a good chance early on and had a later effort thwarted by Eder Militao.
- After the break, Chelsea had chances to equalize, with efforts from Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu being saved by Andriy Lunin.
Post-Match Analysis
Chelsea’s defensive frailties were a significant concern throughout the match, with their backline frequently exposed. This is an area that Maresca will need to address urgently before the new season begins.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will take confidence from this victory as they prepare for their UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta and their La Liga opener against Real Mallorca.
Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the USA highlighted both potential and problems within the squad. As they gear up for the new Premier League season, resolving defensive issues will be crucial for Enzo Maresca’s side to achieve better results.