Chelsea vs. AC Milan: Pre-season Showdown at Stamford Bridge
Get ready for an exciting pre-season finale as Chelsea and AC Milan face off at Stamford Bridge this Sunday! Both teams are wrapping up their summer preparations with this high-profile friendly before the new season kicks off.
Chelsea's Strong Summer and New Signings
Chelsea is coming off a huge high, having just won the Club World Cup in the USA by beating Paris Saint-Germain. This victory has definitely boosted confidence and has fans excited for the new season, where they'll be fighting for more trophies.
Even with a busy schedule, Chelsea has been active in the transfer market, bringing in big names like Joao Pedro, Estevao, and Liam Delap to an already stacked squad. After winning the Conference League and finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, their recent 2-0 friendly win against Bayer Leverkusen shows their ambitious transfer strategy might just pay off.
However, the team will be without Levi Colwill for several months due to an ACL injury. Fortunately, their latest signing, Dutch defender Jorrel Hato, could provide solid cover alongside other options like Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile. Expect to see Reece James captain the side, with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap likely competing for a spot up front.
AC Milan's Rebuild and New Leadership
It's been a tough year for AC Milan, who finished a disappointing eighth in Serie A last season. After a chaotic period that saw two coaches leave, former boss Massimiliano Allegri is back to lead the rebuild.
The Italian giants have been busy with friendlies, including a dominant 9-0 win over Perth Glory. They'll have a packed weekend, first facing Leeds United in Dublin before heading to London for the Chelsea match. With such a tight schedule, Allegri is expected to rotate his squad, which now features new signings like the legendary midfielder Luka Modric and Belgian star Ardon Jashari.
Milan will be missing some familiar faces. Christian Pulisic is still recovering from an ankle injury, while several other attackers have departed. This means Allegri might rely on Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez to lead the attack.
This match is more than just a friendly; it's a chance for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum before their league campaigns begin. Who do you think will come out on top?
