Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim didn’t hide the reality of facing Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea after defeat in a pre-season friendly.
Ruben Amorim might have thought leaving the Manchester United pressure cooker for the AC Milan dugout this summer would bring a smoother ride, but Chelsea gave him a brutal reality check in Jakarta.
Just a few weeks into his Rossoneri tenure, the Portuguese boss watched his side get completely ripped apart in a 3–0 Blues masterclass.
Chelsea didn’t let Milan register a single shot on target, with Joao Pedro bagging a double either side of half-time before Moises Caicedo unleashed a shot from outside the box.
Pedro Neto's display vs AC Milan
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim gives Chelsea their flowers after AC Milan defeat
In an interview with Sky Sports, Ruben Amorim held no punches, admitting that Chelsea were by far the better side and even acknowledged how well they defended, played 1 on ones and pressed under Xabi Alonso.
“We knew that we would suffer against them [Chelsea] but we wanted to make our players play such games. They know how to defend as a team, play 1v1s and press high. Against teams like Chelsea we shouldn’t press the way we did but we are here to prepare and win the first official game of the season.
“It’s certain that we will make some decisions regarding our players. These couple of weeks were very positive but we have a full squad. We have to choose certain players. We will make our decisions within this week.”
Chelsea finally have an identity under Xabi Alonso
The 3–0 win over AC Milan marked Chelsea’s first win and clean sheet of pre-season, offering the clearest blueprint yet of what Xabi Alonso demands from this side.
The new identity is built on suffocating the opposition, relentless, high-intensity pressing out of possession, paired with slick, brave build-up play through the lines.
Rather than waiting for moments, Alonso’s Chelsea hunt the ball aggressively in one-on-one duels, lock down the midfield, and dominate transitions with ruthless tactical discipline. It was organized, physically dominant, and completely wiped out Milan’s threat—setting a fierce benchmark for the upcoming campaign.