Joao Pedro double and Caicedo’s ‘impudent screamer’ fire Chelsea to Milan win as Alonso changes shape
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Joao Pedro scored twice to lead Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over Milan during the Indonesian leg of their pre-season tour, showcasing his goal-scoring ability in a new 3-4-2-1 formation under manager Xabi Alonso.
- Moises Caicedo added a spectacular volley from a corner kick to seal the win, highlighting Chelsea's set-piece effectiveness possibly influenced by new coach Austin MacPhee.
- Alonso experimented with a three-at-the-back system, deploying Marco Palestra as a left wing-back and testing attacking combinations with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro behind striker Danny Welbeck.
- While Chelsea's attacking fluidity remains a work in progress, the new formation showed promise, particularly with Palestra's forward runs and Neto's creative contributions.
- This tactical shift may be used selectively during the upcoming Premier League season, with Chelsea's next match set against Fulham on August 24.
