In a pre-season clash at the Bank of America Stadium, Real Madrid edged out Chelsea with a 2-1 victory.
The victory came through the significant goals from Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz.
Despite a valiant effort by Chelsea, a defensive weakness plagued the Blues throughout the match.
Notably, Real Madrid seized control early, with Ceballos capitalizing on a deflected shot.
This turned out to be the first goal for the club in the 19th minute.
The Spanish midfielder’s sharp reactions and precise finishing highlighted his value to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, just eight minutes later, Brahim Diaz showcased his skill by rounding Chelsea’s new goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen.
He slotted the goal from a tight angle to double Madrid’s lead.
However, Chelsea managed to pull one back before the half-time whistle.
In the 39th minute, Madueke connected with an Enzo Fernandez cross and headed the ball into the net to keep Chelsea’s hopes alive.
Despite this, Chelsea’s defensive issues, a lingering problem from last season, remained evident as they struggled to contain Madrid’s attacks.
Notably, Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, had addressed these defensive concerns early in his tenure.
He pointed out the team’s tendency to maintain a very high defensive line, which currently needs attention.
Also, he identified this habit in the previous season and has been working on adjusting the defensive strategy.
The idea was to drop the line by four or five meters to reduce vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s personnel did not change in the second half of the match.
However, Maresca’s tactical adjustments seemed to stabilize the team.
Notwithstanding, the match remained goalless in the latter 45 minutes, with the best chance falling to Christopher Nkunku.
The Chelsea Defensive Woes
Notably, Chelsea’s defensive woes became noticeable during their pre-season tour in the United States.
At the time, the team conceded 12 goals in five games and won just one match.
This defense instability is a critical issue Maresca needs to address before their Premier League opener against City this August.
However, despite the challenges, Maresca remains focused on refining his team’s approach.
He emphasized that defensive problems are not limited to the backline but involve the entire team.
Moreover, Maresca’s efforts to implement a new system have seen some individual errors.
Notwithstanding, he is optimistic about resolving these issues before the competitive season begins.
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