Chelsea wrapped up their 2024 pre-season with a challenging 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge.
The match was marked by intense heat, creating a difficult playing environment for both teams.
Despite the tough conditions, the encounter was a hard-fought contest, with each side showcasing moments of brilliance and resilience.
Inter Milan took the lead early in the first half with a remarkable goal from Marcus Thuram in the 26th minute.
Thuram’s goal was a moment of quality, and it appeared to be the decisive strike, with Chelsea struggling to break through Inter’s organized defense for much of the game.
Thuram’s celebration reflected the significance of his goal, as it seemed to put Inter on course for a pre-season victory.
However, Chelsea refused to give up, and in a dramatic turn of events, they managed to equalize in the final moments of the match.
Lesley Ugochukwu, showing great composure under pressure, scored a crucial goal in the 90th minute.
His late strike ensured that Chelsea salvaged a draw, a reward for their perseverance and determination to fight until the final whistle.
Analyzing the individual performances in the second half, Robert Sanchez, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, had a relatively uneventful half, with few opportunities to showcase his skills.
Despite the lack of significant action, he maintained his focus and performed consistently, earning a modest rating of 6 for his efforts.
Malo Gusto, Chelsea’s energetic right-back, made a significant impact on the game with his overlapping runs down the flank.
His persistent pressure on Inter Milan’s Federico Di Marco was a key factor in Chelsea’s second-half performance.
Gusto’s dynamic play earned him a rating of 6, highlighting his contribution to the team’s attacking efforts.
Wesley Fofana, who had a somewhat shaky first half, showed improvement in the second half.
His composure and ball control were noticeably better, though he still appears to be working his way back to peak form.
Fofana’s efforts were acknowledged with a rating of 6, indicating his progress throughout the match.
Levi Colwill, Fofana’s partner in defense, also showed improvement from his first-half display.
While he wasn’t at his absolute best, his partnership with Fofana showed potential, even if their performance didn’t fully reflect it. Colwill was also rated 6 for his efforts.
In the midfield, Renato Veiga stood out with a crucial tackle in the 65th minute that earned applause from the crowd.
His involvement was one of the more positive aspects of Chelsea’s play, and he was rewarded with a rating of 6.
Enzo Fernandez had a commendable performance, consistently looking dangerous when in possession of the ball.
His contributions were steady throughout the match, earning him a rating of 6.5, making him one of the higher-rated players on the pitch.
Moises Caicedo, another midfielder, was active and aggressive in his play.
However, his performance was marred by occasional moments of erratic ball control.
Despite these lapses, his overall impact on the game was positive, earning him a rating of 6.
Cole Palmer brought excitement to the game with his touches, showcasing glimpses of his class.
However, he struggled to make the significant impact he was aiming for, leading to a rating of 6.
Mykhailo Mudryk, who attempted to involve himself in the game, faced challenges with his positioning and the quality of service he received.
Despite his efforts, he was unable to make a significant impact, resulting in a rating of 5.5.
Christopher Nkunku was one of the brighter spots in Chelsea’s pre-season.
He came close to scoring a spectacular goal and showed promise for the upcoming season.
His performance was one of the highlights, earning him a rating of 7.
Marc Guiu, who had a brief appearance in the second half, performed reasonably well, though he appeared fatigued by the end. His performance was rated at 6.
Regarding the substitutes, Nicolas Jackson, making his first appearance of the pre-season, appeared somewhat rusty and was rated 5.5 for his brief time on the field.
Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo had some positive moments in duels, though their overall contributions were not extensively assessed, and no ratings were provided.
Raheem Sterling had a brief stint towards the end of the game, with no rating assigned.
Lesley Ugochukwu, who scored the crucial late equalizer, had an outstanding pre-season overall.
His impactful goal and strong showing were reflected in a high rating of 7.5, making him one of the standout performers in the match.
Overall, while Chelsea’s performance had its ups and downs, their resilience in securing a draw against a strong Inter Milan side highlighted their determination and potential as they head into the new season.