Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan: Joao Pedro double inspires dominant Blues
João Pedro scored either side of half-time to help Chelsea secure their second win of pre-season, while Moisés Caicedo added a spectacular third as the Blues kept their first clean sheet under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea started the game in a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system most notably used by Alonso during his title-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen.
Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan as João Pedro scores twice
Chelsea had the better of the opening stages without creating too many clear chances, with Alonso’s new shape giving Marco Palestra freedom to provide width on the right.
Cole Palmer returned to the starting XI after missing the defeat to Juventus, while Caicedo captained the side alongside Romeo Lavia in midfield. Chelsea’s starting XI had suggested Alonso could experiment with his shape after largely using a back four earlier in pre-season.
The breakthrough arrived shortly before half-time. Caicedo delivered from a corner and João Pedro was left in too much space, allowing the Brazilian to head Chelsea in front.
Pedro did not have to wait long for his second. He found the net again shortly after the restart, finishing across goal to give Chelsea breathing space and continue his impressive start to pre-season.
Caicedo then produced the goal of the game.
The midfielder met the ball outside the penalty area and struck a superb effort with the outside of his boot, sending it beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
It was a much sharper attacking performance from Chelsea after successive defeats against Tottenham and Juventus. ReadChelsea highlighted before the game that Alonso would be looking for more attacking rhythm against AC Milan, and his side provided a positive response in Jakarta.
Alonso gets first look at Chelsea 3-4-2-1
The result was encouraging, but Alonso will also take plenty from the way Chelsea adapted to the change in formation.
Palestra was able to play higher on the right, while Palmer and João Pedro operated in areas behind the central striker. Caicedo and Lavia provided the platform behind them.
Chelsea also looked more secure without the ball and recorded their first clean sheet since Alonso took charge.
The Blues now have little recovery time before completing their tour against Johor Darul Ta’zim on Sunday. Alonso is likely to rotate heavily following the quick turnaround, but the win over Milan provided one of the clearest signs yet of how his Chelsea side could eventually look.
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