Chelsea's preparations for the upcoming Premier League season took another hit as they were defeated 4-2 by Manchester City in a pre-season friendly in Ohio. Under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues showed promise in attack but were ultimately undone by defensive errors, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick for the reigning champions.
The match began disastrously for Chelsea, with Haaland converting a penalty in the fourth minute after being fouled by Levi Colwill. Just a minute later, a misplaced pass from new signing Moises Caicedo allowed Haaland to double City's lead, setting the tone for a night plagued by defensive frailties.
Maresca ball looks broken
Maresca's insistence on playing out from the back proved costly. Tosin Adarabioyo's error led to Haaland's penalty, and Malo Gusto's misplaced pass in midfield allowed the Norwegian striker to complete his hat-trick. Oscar Bobb added a fourth for City after capitalising on another loose pass, this time from Raheem Sterling.
Despite the defeat, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended Maresca, attributing some of Chelsea's mistakes to the pitch conditions at the Ohio Stadium. "In normal conditions, that would not happen. At Stamford Bridge, that would not happen. That's for sure," Guardiola stated post-match. Maresca echoed this sentiment, noting that the pitch's condition slowed down their play, making it difficult to execute their game plan.
Glimmers of hope in attack
While the defensive issues were glaring, Chelsea showed some promise in possession and attacking positions. Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke both scored late goals to add some respectability to the scoreline. Maresca remains optimistic about the team's progress, emphasising that mistakes are part of the learning process. Maresca said,
"I don't have any doubt in terms of the progress the team is doing at the moment. The mistake is part of the process. We need to learn when you concede one, you cannot concede another one. When we concede one, it is the moment we need to become stronger to not concede another."
Chelsea's pre-season tour has been a mixed bag, with only one win against Club America. They have also faced defeats to Celtic and Manchester City and were held to a 2-2 draw by Wrexham. With 10 goals conceded in four games, defensive solidity remains a significant concern as they prepare for the Premier League opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
Pressure mounting on Maresca
Chelsea's hierarchy, known for their impatience, will be closely monitoring Maresca's progress. The upcoming match against Real Madrid will be another stern test for the Blues. While there are promising signs in their attacking play, the defensive lapses need to be addressed urgently.
Pep Guardiola's support for Maresca is a positive sign, but the pressure is on the Chelsea manager to turn things around quickly. The new season is just around the corner, and the Blues will need to iron out their issues if they are to compete at the highest level.
Enzo Maresca faces the challenge of finding a balance between his desired playing style and defensive solidity.