Mykhailo Mudryk returned for Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk returned for Chelsea
View 3 Images
For a brief moment at the Kai Tak Stadium, it looked as if it wasn't going to happen; 'it' of course being the introduction of Mykhailo Mudryk.
There were 43,000-plus supporters watching the Ukrainian's every move. There wasn't much to watch prior to around 70-75 minutes when the 25-year-old winger was sent out to warm up.
At that point, Chelsea had an XI on the field that had not long been in the action. Usually in football, subbing a sub is a no-go but Xabi Alonso chose to do it in Hong Kong. Nicolas Jackson appeared to be the unfortunate sacrifice to allow Mudryk to have his moment.
That, though, sources assure football.london was always part of the plan. Alonso had spoken to Jackson pre-match and the Senegal international, who is fighting for his future at Stamford Bridge, offered to come off for Mudryk's benefit. A really classy touch from Jackson and one Mudryk will not forget in a hurry.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
"I'm really pleased for him," said Alonso on Mudryk post-match. "It was emotional for everyone from the club to see him back, especially when I told him that before the game that was my idea, that he could play 10-15 minutes.
"He was thrilled, for sure. It was, after such a long period, to be back on the pitch, it was a great feeling for him and a great feeling for everyone as well."
Alonso has concerns
Alonso is not the type of character to get carried away. It is only pre-season and he has worked with these players for less than a month - of course things are not going to be perfect.
They were far from perfect on Wednesday evening. They didn't need to be to beat a far-from-perfect Juventus side. But Chelsea couldn't get to the level required.
The Blues were the better side in the match, that's how it felt watching from high up at the Kai Tak Stadium. But chances were few and far between. In fairness, they were for Juve as well, who won via a worldie from Edon Zhegrova on 68 minutes.
Chelsea could not break down a Juve defence that didn't look at its best. There were some nice moments but the lack of cutting edge in Hong Kong, on top of a similar sort of performance we saw against Tottenham in Sydney just a few days prior, is cause for concern.
Edon Zhegrova celebrates
Edon Zhegrova celebrates scoring Juventus' winning goal against Chelsea(Image: Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC)
View 3 Images
"I think that we have started pretty well," said Alonso. "The first 30-35 minutes we played with good control, we created a few chances and the last few minutes, a little bit like last Saturday [vs Spurs], then we lost a little bit of control.
"In the second half, there were many changes, the game was not that controlled. But for sure, it's a process, it's minutes for everyone and now we have two more games before we go back to London."
Alonso has reasons to be cheerful
While Alonso will be scratching his head at a lot of things from the last two matches, the Chelsea manager also has plenty of reasons to be cheerful and optimistic. Two of them, who cost the club a combined £87million this summer, made up the Blues' right-hand side in the first half in Hong Kong.
Geovany Quenda made his first appearance of the pre-season tour after he arrived late following a minor muscular injury. The versatile Portuguese winger started on the right wing for Chelsea and was a constant threat in the opening 45 minutes before he understandably came off at the break. Quenda should have had an assist to his name really early on after he whipped in a delicious delivery to Danny Welbeck, who could not guide his header on target.
Just behind him, or quite often in front of him given how high Alonso wanted the right-back, was Marco Palestra. The speedy Italian is up and down that right side like a yo-yo after a couple of cans of Red Bull. Palestra looks a constant attacking threat - and Alonso is a huge admirer of the 21-year-old defender.
Marco Palestra in action for Chelsea against Juventus
Marco Palestra challenges for the ball against Juventus(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images)
View 3 Images
Alonso, speaking post-match, lauded Palestra and also Quenda for their contribution against Juve: "Yeah, happy with Geo. After he missed the last week in Australia, he wasn't there but he came a couple of days ago and to play 45 minutes after the little injury, he's been very good. Happy that he could have this playing minutes.
"And Marco for sure is having a great impact. You see his power. He repeats up and down, big stamina, quality as well on the last third. So we are impressed with him. Happy that we have Marco in the squad and that he gives solution. He's a flexible player so it's going to be very interesting to work with him."