Chelsea concluded their pre-season preparations with a commanding 4-1 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. The match showcased the Blues' attacking prowess and readiness for the upcoming Premier League campaign, despite a condensed pre-season following their Club World Cup triumph just 28 days prior.
Under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea delivered a performance that thrilled the 37,000 fans in attendance and sent a strong message to their rivals.
Two brilliant pre-season friendlies at the Bridge. 🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 10, 2025
Thank you for your amazing support throughout the weekend. 👏 pic.twitter.com/50ZhJxmAQy
Early Dominance Sets the Tone
Chelsea wasted no time asserting their authority. In the 5th minute, an own goal by AC Milan's Andrei Coubis, deflecting a Reece James free-kick, gave the Blues an early lead. Three minutes later, João Pedro doubled the advantage, nodding in a curling delivery from Pedro Neto with ease after losing his marker. The early onslaught continued when Coubis, already on the wrong side of the scoreline, received a straight red card in the 18th minute for hauling down João Pedro, who was through on goal. This reduced AC Milan to ten men, giving Chelsea a significant advantage for the remainder of the match.
Despite the numerical edge, Chelsea showed discipline, opting to conserve energy in the sweltering UK heatwave rather than chasing unnecessary goals before halftime. Cole Palmer came close to extending the lead, striking the post with a free-kick and narrowly missing with another effort, while a scissor-kick volley flashed across the face of goal. AC Milan, meanwhile, had a Rafael Leão header disallowed for offside, summing up a frustrating first half for the Serie A side.
Second-Half Firepower
The second half saw Chelsea maintain their dominance. A concern arose when defender Trevoh Chalobah rolled his ankle and was substituted in the 55th minute, though he was later seen on the bench, alleviating fears of a serious injury. Chelsea’s depth shone through as substitutes made an immediate impact. Estevão Willian, introduced just past the hour mark, won a penalty after being bundled over. Liam Delap, another substitute, confidently converted the spot-kick, firing low past Mike Maignan to make it 3-0.
AC Milan pulled one back in the 70th minute through Youssouf Fofana, who beat Robert Sánchez at his near post, giving the traveling Rossoneri fans a brief moment of hope. However, Chelsea quickly extinguished any thoughts of a comeback. In the 90th minute, Andrey Santos delivered a sumptuous pass to Delap, who finished clinically with a first-time strike to secure his brace and seal the 4-1 scoreline.
Power and precision. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p52OPlPc08
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 10, 2025
Standout Performances
Liam Delap was the star of the show, scoring twice off the bench and staking a claim for a regular starting spot. João Pedro continued his fine pre-season form, adding a goal to his tally and earning praise for his movement and composure. Cole Palmer’s creativity and near-misses highlighted his importance to the team, while young prospects like Estevão and Andrey Santos showcased Chelsea’s bright future with their impactful cameos. Moisés Caicedo controlled the midfield, and Jamie Gittens impressed on the wing, adding dynamism to the attack.
Post-match, João Pedro spoke to Channel 5, expressing his delight at scoring at Stamford Bridge and emphasizing the team’s camaraderie: “I don’t want to say competition, I think it is very good for Chelsea to have both strikers at a good level. I am very happy for [Delap].” Captain Reece James echoed the optimism, telling Channel 5, “We are confident. We are world champions. This season, everyone is excited.”
Delapppp 😍 pic.twitter.com/EjONdXhsNj
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) August 10, 2025
Looking Ahead
This emphatic victory sets Chelsea up nicely for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, 2025, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Maresca’s men have carried momentum from their Club World Cup success and a strong pre-season, finishing with two wins in two games. The manager’s confidence was palpable in his post-match comments to India Today, where he expressed optimism about the upcoming campaign.
Conclusion
Chelsea’s 4-1 rout of AC Milan was a fitting end to their pre-season, blending experience with youthful exuberance. With goals from an own goal, João Pedro, and a Liam Delap brace, the Blues demonstrated their attacking depth and tactical discipline under Enzo Maresca. As the Premier League looms, Chelsea fans have plenty to be excited about, though questions remain about defensive reinforcements. For now, Stamford Bridge is buzzing with optimism as the Blues prepare to hit the ground running in the 2025/26 season.
We felt you with us all summer, Blues — as always.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 10, 2025
We will never take your support for granted. 💙 pic.twitter.com/L2SWQtLFRv
