The 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in Charlotte, which capped Chelsea’s preseason tour of the United States, is sure to have caused more defensive worries.
At Bank of America Stadium, the Blues’ defensive woes under new coach Enzo Maresca were on full show for the better part of the first half. Man-of-the-match Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, and Lucas Vazquez all had opportunities to score, but the deficit was only narrowed thanks to a header by Noni Madueke just before halftime.
After a lacklustre second half that failed to produce any more goals, Chelsea will return home to the Atlantic having lost three of their last five friendlies in the United States. Their Tuesday night loss followed heavy losses to Manchester City in Ohio and Celtic in Indiana, as well as a draw with third-tier Wrexham in California.
Last week in Atlanta, Chelsea defeated Club America of Mexico 3-0, their lone victory under Maresca.
The Blues will play host to Inter Milan, winners of the Serie A, in their final summer friendly next weekend. On August 18, they will face City again at home to kick off the new Premier League season.
After recent losses to AC Milan and Clasico rivals Barcelona, Madrid won their first game of a shorter trip to the United States. Thanks to the confidence boost, the reigning LaLiga and Champions League winners will be ready to take on Europa League holders Atalanta in Warsaw next week in the Uefa Super Cup. Then, four days later, they’ll play their first game away at Real Mallorca in the Spanish top division.In the first half of their North Carolina encounter, Chelsea appeared aggressive, with Raheem Sterling providing a fearsome option on the other wing and Madueke being a particular threat down the right flank.
Christopher Nkunku set up Sterling, who smashed a shot into the side netting before sending the game’s first serious opportunity sailing over the crossbar.
Nevertheless, the concerning defensive deficiencies that have been a recurring theme throughout Chelsea’s US tour quickly surfaced once more. Reece James was having trouble keeping up, and Vinicius Jr. was eager to capitalize after making a triumphant return to the Real Madrid starting lineup alongside fellow Brazilian Rodrygo. Endrick and Arda Guler were benched.The first goal, which came after James had weathered a penalty appeal for a fair challenge on Vinicius Jr., was a disaster from Chelsea’s point of view. Their shaky defense gave way too easily, and Ceballos slid in to add the finishing touch from close range while Filip Jorgensen, one of five players brought in by Maresca—along with Benoit Badiashile, Sterling, Madueke, and Marc Guiu—appeared as a refereee.
As Real’s lead grew, Jorgensen had to stay on the ball to prevent them from doubling their advantage, while Eder Militao’s strong defense kept Sterling from scoring.
But Madrid would not be denied, as Brahim was put free just before half-hour by a beautiful pass in behind from Vinicius Jr. Brahim did an incredible job to evade Jorgensen and slide in from a difficult angle.
After a brilliant one-two with Gusto, Sterling should have scored to reduce the lead for Chelsea. However, he missed the target with a low cross for Nkunku, denying the Frenchman a simple tap-in.
They quickly got back into it, though, as ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois appeared to misjudge the trajectory of Enzo Fernandez’s cross and Madueke easily beat the motionless Fran Garcia at the back post with a header.
Andriy Lunin, who came on for Courtois at halftime, was equal to Nkunku’s shot, and then youthful striker Guiu missed the goal as Sterling was free and open to his left. Real were nearly taken unawares immediately after the break.Substitute Moises Caicedo intercepted a loose pass and set up Guiu, but the latter could only fire a shot at Lunin. Militao missed the target after heading a Rodrygo corner wide.
Mykhailo Mudryk wasted no time getting off the bench and started a brilliant tangle of passes that ultimately led to a hopeless shot that went high into the stands.
As the game descended into a chaotic and disconnected state due to the continual influx of substitutes, chances dried up, although a low effort from Real Madrid youth player Nico Paz tested Jorgensen.
As Chelsea sought a late equalizer to spare their tour from a disappointing loss, Mario Martin’s attempt from outside the box was not cleanly connected. Marco Asensio made an important sliding challenge on Mudryk inside the area, and Madueke missed a great free-kick opportunity.
But they were unsuccessful because youthful Juanmi Latasa of Madrid came close to scoring in stoppage time, but his header from a corner flew wide of the near post.