Chelsea Confront AC Milan in Jakarta as Preseason Tours Hit Indonesia
Premier League side Chelsea meet Serie A giants AC Milan at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium for a high-profile friendly. Both clubs seek tactical cohesion ahead of their respective domestic season openers later this August.
Key takeaways
- Chelsea and AC Milan meet at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 8 at 1:00 p.m. BST.
- Christian Pulisic is ruled out for AC Milan due to a thigh injury suffered during the World Cup.
- Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is still missing Enzo Fernández and Reece James from the touring squad.
- AC Milan remains winless in preseason following draws against Celtic and Inter Milan.
Match Overview
Chelsea and AC Milan continue their summer preparations this Saturday evening at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. This fixture marks a significant stop in the Asian tour for both clubs as they integrate returning players and test new tactical setups under their respective managers.
Current Form and Team Progress
Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea squad enters this match with a mixed preseason record. After opening their schedule with a high-scoring 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, the London club suffered consecutive defeats, falling 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur and 1-0 to Juventus. Following the Jakarta fixture, Chelsea will travel to Malaysia to face Johor Darul Ta'zim before returning to Stamford Bridge for a final friendly against Real Sociedad on August 11.
AC Milan, led by Ruben Amorim, search for their first victory of the summer. The Italian side has recorded two draws thus far: a 2-2 result against Celtic and a 1-1 stalemate against local rivals Inter Milan. This Indonesian encounter serves as a vital opportunity for Amorim to secure a win before the Serie A campaign commences.
Squad Availability and Injuries
Chelsea received a boost with the return of Danny Welbeck and Mykhailo Mudryk, both of whom participated in the recent match against Juventus. However, the squad remains incomplete. Reece James, Jordan Henderson, and Trevoh Chalobah have not yet reported for duty following the World Cup, with Chalobah reportedly nearing a transfer to Como. Furthermore, Argentine internationals Enzo Fernández and Valentín Barco are scheduled to join the team only after the Asian tour concludes, amid ongoing speculation regarding Fernández’s status at the club.
AC Milan enjoys a largely healthy roster, with one notable exception. Christian Pulisic remains sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained during World Cup competition last month. Aside from the American winger, Amorim has a full complement of players available for selection in Jakarta.
Key Facts
- The match kicks off at 1:00 p.m. BST on Saturday, August 8, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
- Global broadcasting is provided via CFC+, while viewers in India can access the game through FanCode.
- Chelsea starts their Premier League season away at Fulham on August 24.
- This is AC Milan's third preseason fixture following two consecutive draws.
Source: ESPN India
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