The moments missed from Chelsea's win over AC Milan in Indonesia
Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer of Chelsea FC pose with the trophy after winning the Indonesia Super Cup 2026 during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer following Chelsea's win over AC Milan(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso will have learned a lot about his players during Chelsea's win over AC Milan. Joao Pedro fired the Blues to a 3-0 victory at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday, finding the net just moments either side of half-time.
The Chelsea talisman broke the deadlock in the final moments of the first half, heading the ball past Lorenzo Torriani from close range. Pedro doubled his tally just seconds after the restart, finding himself, again, in the right place at the right time inside the six-yard box following a nicely-weighted cross from Pedro Neto.
Moises Caicedo put the third and final nail in the Italian giants' coffin, scoring a volley from outside the box with the outside of his foot. Alonso then began to make wholesale changes, with Mykhailo Mudryk coming on to make his second appearance for Chelsea since his anti-doping ban was lifted.
Even Reggie Watson was given a few minutes to lay down a marker. The 16-year-old midfielder has been one of several Cobham prospects to already feature for the new manager, along with Reggie Walsh and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at five particularly key moments from the clash.
Acheampong pockets Milan superstar
Josh Acheampong was superb during Chelsea's clash against AC Milan. For the first time under Alonso, the 19-year-old defender staked a significant claim for a place in the starting lineup, dominating the right channel from start to finish.
In a somewhat wide centre-half role, Acheampong was able to display his best qualities. The Cobham graduate was great in possession, playing line-breaking passes and carrying the ball into midfield, aggressive in the duel, winning the large majority of his aerial and ground battles, and excellent one-versus-one.
One particular moment perfectly defined his performance. Midway through the first half, AC Milan caught Chelsea on the counter-attack; Acheampong recovered brilliantly before performing a textbook slide tackle, on Rafael Leao of all players, inside the box. Titan at the back.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan is tackled by Josh Acheampong of Chelsea FC during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Josh Acheampong did well to keep Rafael Leao quiet
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Palestra transforms into prime Hazard
Marco Palestra proved, once again, why he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet this season. During Chelsea's clash against AC Milan, the 21-year-old defender was deployed at left wing-back, with Pedro Neto, who has recently returned from his extended break after the World Cup, on the right.
Palestra posed a threat whenever he was on the ball, always looking to advance into opposition territory and create chaos. He was electric. At one stage, the Blues had caught Amorim's side on the counter-attack, and the Italian found himself receiving the ball on the half-turn in the middle of the park.
Like a prime Eden Hazard, Palestra performed a clever little flick to evade a challenge from Strahinja Pavlović. The Chelsea defender beat the AC Milan defender, who then brought him down. Unicorn wing-back.
Marco Palestra of Chelsea FC during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Marco Palestra has hit the ground running at Chelsea
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Alonso pulls the strings
Alonso has certainly taken a hands-on approach at Chelsea. During one particular phase of play, the Blues manager appeared to be shouting orders from the sidelines, reorganising the midfield in real time to combat the AC Milan press and create space.
He pushed Neto further afield and pulled Palmer into the space created in the middle of the park. Pervis Estupiñán was forced to retreat into his own half, following the run of the winger, while one of Amorim's centre-backs had no choice but to follow the midfield in-field, leaving a gap in the heart of the backline on the halfway line.
The sequence didn't lead to a goal, but Alonso has clearly been working hard to perfect Chelsea's ability to play through the press. Pulling the strings as if it's the 2000s again.
Xabi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Xabi Alonso during Chelsea's clash against AC Milan
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Chelsea deploy secret weapon
Austin MacPhee opened his account during Chelsea's clash against AC Milan. With help from the new set-piece coach, the Blues scored twice from corners; the first following a direct cross into the box, and the second following a delightfully lofted pass to the edge of the box.
Jackson passes second Chelsea audition
Although he didn't get on the scoresheet, Nicolas Jackson made a good impression during Chelsea's clash against AC Milan. The 25-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, won't force Pedro out of the team, but he offered Alonso food for thought.
There was one particular sequence in the second half that showcased his best qualities. Jackson dropped short to receive the ball on the halfway line, and as his marker tracked the run, he chopped outside on the half-turn, suddenly putting the Blues on the front foot.
The crowd roared as he spun the AC Milan defender, leaving him in his wake. The Senegal international laid the ball off to Geovany Quenda, who was superb again for Chelsea when he came off the bench.
From just outside the box, he then curled the ball to the back post, where he found Palestra unmarked. The wing-back brought it down well on his chest before firing wide from close range. Very promising.