Full-time: Chelsea 2-0 Udinese
Summary
It was a great training game for some backup players as Chelsea dominated most of the game and ended up beating Udinese comfortably 2-0.
Kovacic was the standout player for the Blues but Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell and Gallagher were impressive too.
The defence could have done better as they were caught out of position and Kepa did make two good saves to deny Udinese.
Chelsea could have finished better and scored more goals too, but overall, Tuchel will be happy with what he saw today.
89': Hudson-Odoi sends a lovely crossfield pass to Kenedy, who collects the ball well and whips it into the box. The keeper is first to dive and collect it, however.
85': A well-worked short corner ultimately amounts to nothing as Ziyech completely misses his shot. Five minutes plus added time remain in the game.
clive_kingcfc: "Ziyech doesn't care about this game lmao he's out there doing random things. Just sell the man already."
78': Harvey Vale comes in for Loftus-Cheek after a stoppage in play due to a Udinese player being injured. Chelsea don't look as sharp after the second goal but don't look like conceding here either.
71': Kenedy almost scores after a nice play from Loftus-Cheek, who has been superb the last 30 minutes.
67': Kenedy and Bettinelli come on for Chilwell and Kepa as the drinks break ends. It's nice to see the Brazilian back on the field for Chelsea! Emerson also replaces Sarr.
62': Udinese have their best five-minute spell of the game since Ziyech's goal. Kepa calmly steps out to stop the Italian team's attack as we enter the last half hour of the friendly.
56': GOALL!!! Loftus-Cheek dribbles superbly to get in the box and then is fouled. Ziyech steps up to take the penalty and calmly slots it past the keeper as the Blues now lead by two goals.
49': Pulisic attacks down the right-hand side and delivers a good low cross but the keeper is equal to it and deflects it away from Broja's path.
⚔️: The second half begins with Chelsea holding a one-goal lead. Callum Hudson-Odoi replaces Armando Broja.
Half-time: Chelsea 1-0 Udinese
Player ratings
Kovacic: 9 - Chelsea's best player so far, the captain made some excellent passes and finally got an assist towards the end of the half.
Chilwell: 8 - The left-back was very active and made some good plays.
Gallagher: 7 - He played as an AM on the left side and did well, creating two chances and having a great shot saved.
Ziyech: 5 - One good cross from the winger but otherwise, he looked a little lethargic.
Broja: 6 - Broja took five shots in the half and was getting into good positions but his finishing can be much, much better.
Sarr: 5 - Looks a little unsure at the back and lost the ball in a dangerous area once.
45+1': GOAL!! Loftus-Cheek cheekily chips the ball over the advancing keeper after a superb pass from Kovacic. It has been coming for quite some time for the Blues.
40': Broja and Ziyech both miss decent chances in the space of two minutes. Udinese haven't managed an attack in the last 15 minutes but Chelsea's poor finishing has prevented them from taking the lead.
36': Chilwell has been the standout player so far. Lots of passes, good movement and two great crosses from the left-back.
pulkit_cfc: "Chilwell looking like his pre-injury self, these are the things you love to see."
31': Loftus-Cheek is the latest Chelsea player to take a shot but his header is well over the bar. Blues in firm control of the game now.
25': The teams take a water break. Chelsea have been better so far but both sides have had great chances to score. It's been a good watch.
21': Brilliant ball control and movement from Broja leads to a shot inside the box from Kovacic but the keeper is well aware and saves it. The attacks continue to come from the away team.
Just a few seconds later, Broja misses an easy tap-in from a wonderful Ziyech pass. He should have scored!
17': Chelsea's left side has been very active, with Chilwell looking good. He combines with Gallagher near the edge of the box but the midfielder's shot is well-saved.
12': What a sequence! Broja almost scores with a header but his shot is cleared off the goal line. Udinese counter and nearly score on the other end as Kepa saves the shot. Great play from both teams.
8': Udinese counter and have the best chance of the game but the shot is struck wide over the goalpost by Sandi Lovric. The Blues escape an early scare.
Leolindski: "Really interested in watching, Broja, Ampadu and Gilmour and Vale. Also expect Pulisic to prove a point cause I believe he is better than all those attackers that started yesterday's game."
5': Chelsea have started the game well and have most of the possession so far. Pulisic and Kovacic have done great and the Blues have attempted two shots already.
⚔️KICK-OFF: The game begins!
Chelsea beat Udinese 3-1 last night and the Blues have scheduled another game against the same opponents, set to be a closed-doors training game.
Here is the starting XI and subs for the game.
CFC XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Ampadu, Sarr, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic (C), Gallagher, Chilwell, Ziyech, Broja, Pulisic
Bench: Bettinelli, Emerson, Gilmour, Kenedy, Hudson-Odoi, Vale
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