Chelsea Confront AC Milan in Jakarta as Alonso Nears Competitive Debut
New manager Xabi Alonso faces his final preseason assessment in Indonesia before Chelsea begins its Premier League campaign. The friendly against AC Milan serves as the last tactical rehearsal for a squad integrating several new signings.
Key takeaways
- Xabi Alonso's Chelsea squad will have two full weeks of training after the AC Milan friendly to prepare for their Premier League debut against Fulham.
- The match takes place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on August 8, 2026, with an 8:00 AM EDT kickoff.
- Moises Caicedo captains a Chelsea side featuring Robert Sanchez in goal and Danny Welbeck leading the attack.
- AC Milan's starting eleven includes familiar faces like Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leão for the Indonesian exhibition match.
Final Tactical Assessment in Indonesia
Chelsea prepares for its concluding preseason fixture against AC Milan at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium this Saturday. With new manager Xabi Alonso at the helm, the squad has faced a compressed training schedule, leaving limited time for the implementation of the coach’s strategic framework. Following this international exhibition, the team will receive a two-week training block before their official season opener against Fulham.
Key Facts
- Date and Venue: The match kicks off Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time in Jakarta (8:00 AM EDT / 1:00 PM BST).
- Chelsea Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Palestra, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato; Lavia, Caicedo (c); Palmer, João Pedro, Neto; Welbeck.
- AC Milan Starting XI: Torriani; Terraciano, De Winter, Pavlovic, Chukwueze, Modric, Comotto, Estupiñan, Loftus-Cheek, Leão, Camarda.
- Broadcasting: U.S. viewers can access the game via CBS Sports Network, FOX Deportes, Paramount+, and Fox One. International streaming is available through FanCode, StarTimes, and the CFC+ platform.
Why It Matters
This fixture represents the final opportunity for Alonso to evaluate his roster in a match environment before the Premier League season begins. Expectations remain tempered due to the lack of extensive training sessions under the new coaching staff. However, the club is prioritizing the upcoming fourteen-day preparation window to ensure the players fully grasp Alonso's tactical requirements before facing Fulham.
What Happens Next
After the final whistle in Jakarta, the Chelsea squad returns to England for a focused fortnight of tactical drills. The club’s internal streaming service, CFC+, continues to offer tiered access for supporters, including individual match passes for £9.99 or annual subscriptions for £19.99, catering to regions without local broadcast rights.
Source: We Ain't Got No History
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