Chelsea's 3-0 victory over AC Milan in Jakarta was a significant moment in the club's pre-season campaign, marking a return to form after back-to-back defeats. The game showcased Xabi Alonso's tactical prowess, with the team's identity beginning to take shape. The 3-4-3 formation, with Marco Palestra shining at left wing-back, proved effective against the Serie A heavyweights. The performance was particularly notable for the set-piece improvements, with two goals coming from corners in the first half.
Personally, I think this game was a turning point for Chelsea, demonstrating the impact of new set-piece coach Austin McPhee. The team's ability to score from corners, a weakness in the previous season, was a key aspect of their success. The performance of Joao Pedro, who scored a double, was also impressive, and his impact on the game was immediate.
One thing that immediately stands out is the versatility of Marco Palestra. His ability to play on either side of the wing-back position made him a valuable asset, and his performance against AC Milan was a testament to his skills. The Italian's ability to turn inside or out offered extra threat, and he was one of the Blues' best performers off the left.
What many people don't realize is the importance of set-piece improvements for a team like Chelsea. The team's ability to score from corners, a statistic that was a weakness in the previous season, was a key aspect of their success against AC Milan. The impact of Austin McPhee's set-piece coaching was evident, and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the upcoming season.
If you take a step back and think about it, the performance of Chelsea against AC Milan was a significant moment in the club's pre-season campaign. It demonstrated the team's ability to adapt to a new formation and the impact of new coaching staff. The game also showcased the potential of players like Joao Pedro and Marco Palestra, who were key to the team's success.
This raises a deeper question: How will Chelsea's pre-season form translate to the upcoming season? The team's ability to score from corners and the impact of Austin McPhee's set-piece coaching will be crucial factors in their success. The performance against AC Milan was a promising start, but it remains to be seen if the team can maintain this level of form throughout the season.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the performance of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in midfield. Caicedo's ability to drop into the back three to start the build-up and Lavia's man-marking of Luka Modric were key aspects of the team's success. The performance of these two players will be crucial in the upcoming season, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this level of form.
What this really suggests is that Chelsea is on the right track under Xabi Alonso. The team's identity is beginning to take shape, and the performance against AC Milan was a significant moment in the club's pre-season campaign. The set-piece improvements and the performance of key players like Joao Pedro and Marco Palestra were particularly notable, and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the upcoming season.
