**Chelsea ended their Hong Kong stay with a narrow 1-0 defeat by Juventus, but Mykhailo Mudryk’s long-awaited return provided Xabi Alonso with one major positive.**
Edon Zhegrova settled a tight contest with a fine second-half winner as Chelsea suffered back-to-back pre-season defeats following last weekend’s loss to Tottenham.
Alonso was already without two of his most important players. Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were both left out as a precaution after minor fitness concerns, with [ReadChelsea explaining their absences before kick-off](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/05/chelsea-make-cole-palmer-and-levi-colwill-decision-for-juventus-clash/).
That gave others an opportunity.
Danny Welbeck was handed his Chelsea debut, while 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli made his first start as Alonso continued to spread minutes across a squad still building towards the Premier League opener.
Neither side found much space during a cagey first half.
Chelsea enjoyed spells of control but struggled to turn possession into clear chances, while Juventus carried enough threat on the break to keep Alonso’s defence alert.
The visitors eventually found the moment of quality the game had been missing.