Udinese XI 0 - 2 Chelsea XI - 切爾西足球俱樂部 Chelsea Football Club

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/match-report-udinese-xi-vs-chelsea-xi

Match Report: Udinese XI 0 Chelsea XI 2

30 Jul 2022


Chelsea's pre-season campaign concluded with a comfortable victory against
an Udinese XI, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech finding the net either
side of half-time.


https://i.imgur.com/510GQ3p.jpg


Just like yesterday's friendly against the same opposition, the Blues were
dominant in this training game that enabled Thomas Tuchel to give more
members of his squad valuable match minutes ahead of the real thing
starting this time next week.


The Chelsea XI were particularly impressive before the break, creating a
flurry of good chances, although we had to wait until Loftus-Cheek's
smooth chipped finish in added time to break the deadlock.


It was the outstanding Loftus-Cheek who was fouled for the penalty that
Ziyech converted with aplomb, and by the midway point of the second half
all 28 players that travelled to Italy had enjoyed game time.


https://i.imgur.com/kWsIOnn.jpg
Loftus-Cheek impressed at the Dacia Arena


Now the Blues return home with a week to prepare for Everton away and the
2022/23 Premier League campaign that awaits.


== The selection ==


As expected, Tuchel named an entirely different side to the one that beat
Udinese 3-1.


Mateo Kovacic captained and Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Ziyech and
Christian Pulisic also started. Loftus-Cheek and Armando Broja played
their first pre-season games for Tuchel's side this summer, Kepa was in
goal, and Ethan Ampadu, Malang Sarr and Conor Gallagher completed the XI.
The outfielders on the bench were the same as yesterday.


== Entertaining opening ==


Chelsea, attacking the Curva Nord in the first half, just as we did 14
hours ago, once again started brightly. Chilwell had a good sight of goal
in the second minute, only for his shot to be blocked, and Gallagher fired
over from a Ziyech pass.


https://i.imgur.com/rQ0oFPz.jpg
Chilly tries his luck early on


In the 12th minute both teams came very close to opening the scoring. From
a Gallagher corner, Broja headed goalwards and Bram Nuytinck just about
diverted it onto the post and out. The hosts broke, and Sandi Lovric shot
straight at Kepa with his second good opportunity of the morning.


== Good Chelsea chances ==


A flowing Chelsea move ended with Chilwell picking out Gallagher, who spun
on the edge of the box and curled towards the top left-hand corner.
Daniele Padelli sprung to his right to turn it around the post. Sarr
headed into the side netting from the resulting corner.


https://i.imgur.com/9CXSiH3.jpg
Kova kept us on the front foot during the first half


Midway through an open first half, Broja impressively worked his way out
of a tight spot and found Ziyech, whose shot was deflected behind. The
roles were reversed a minute later as Ziyech crossed low and Broja touched
it wide.


The Albanian had another good chance with 10 minutes of the half
remaining. Found brilliantly by a searching Kovacic pass, he lofted the
ball over Padelli but the crossbar, too. It was a similar story when Sarr
released Ziyech, who controlled expertly but blasted wide.


https://i.imgur.com/HNrbeHy.jpg
Ziyech going for goal


== Breakthrough at last ==


Broja fired at Padelli's legs after yet another enterprising foray forward
from Kovacic, who eventually got the assist his performance deserved in
time added on at the end of the first half. He threaded the ball through
the eye of a needle to Loftus-Cheek, and today's right wing-back deftly
lifted it over Padelli. A wonderful pass and a wonderful finish.


https://i.imgur.com/Bh7u9vS.jpg
Ruben congratulated after his fine finish


Callum Hudson-Odoi replaced Broja for the second half and played through
the middle. It was he who started the attack from which we would double
our lead with 55 minutes played.


Hudson-Odoi spread it wide right to Loftus-Cheek, who exchanged passes
with Pulisic and chopped inside, drawing a clear foul. Ziyech slammed the
penalty into the bottom right-hand corner.


https://i.imgur.com/iP0G8t9.jpg
Hakim makes no mistake from the spot


== Roaming Ruben ==


Loftus-Cheek continued to impress from right wing-back, setting up further
chances for Ziyech and Chilwell around the hour mark. After the next
drinks break, much needed in the midday sun, Kenedy, Emerson and Marcus
Bettinelli came on for Chilwell, Sarr and Kepa.


It was Kenedy who was next to threaten, again the overlapping Loftus-Cheek
causing havoc down the right as the wing-backs combined. That was Ruben's
last involvement, replaced by Harvey Vale. Billy Gilmour came on for
Gallagher.


The one-sided nature of the contest continued even if the tempo slowed in
the heat, both teams content with another good workout.


== What's next? ==


The season opener at Everton! Kick-off on Merseyside is at 5.30pm.


Chelsea (3-4-3):

Kepa (Bettinelli 67); Chalobah, Ampadu, Sarr (Emerson 67);

Loftus-Cheek (Vale 77), Kovacic (c), Gallagher (Gilmour 77),
Chilwell (Kenedy 67);

Ziyech, Broja (Hudson-Odoi h/t), Pulisic.


Scorers - Loftus-Cheek 45+1, Ziyech (pen) 56


Udinese (5-3-2):

Padelli, Ebosele, Abankwah, Nuytinck (c), Guessand (Abdalla 78), Palumbo,

Samardzic (Cocetta 73), Lovric, Pafundi, Pussetto (Castagnaviz 73),

Nestorovski


Unused subs - Piana, Asante

--


Hoddle: 'Matthew will be sitting up there looking down now and

loving Chelsea being winners. He'll just love Chelsea winning.'


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