Chelsea managed to shake off the disappointment of two successive pre‑season losses by delivering what can be described as their most convincing display under manager Xabi Alonso to date. The turning point came in Jakarta, where João Pedro netted two goals to guide the Blues to a dominant 3-0 triumph against a strong AC Milan side. The tactical set‑up for the match marked a clear departure from the hybrid 4-2-3-1 formation that had been experimented with in earlier games. Instead, Alonso reverted to a pure 3-4-3 system, a structure that seemed to suit the players perfectly and allowed them to exploit the spaces on the flanks.
One of the standout performers was Marco Palestra, who operated as an attacking left wing‑back, constantly providing width and delivering dangerous balls into the box. In addition, the influence of newly appointed set‑piece specialist Austin McPhee was already evident, hinting at a possible new era for Chelsea's dead‑ball situations.
Statistically, the Blues have been prolific from corners throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, having scored ten goals from corner kicks up to that point. In the Jakarta encounter, they managed to convert two of those set‑piece chances within the regular 90 minutes. The first came just before halftime when João Pedro managed to slip away from Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, meeting a pinpoint cross from Moises Caicedo and slotting the ball home with composure.
The goal was a textbook example of timing and movement, as Pedro timed his run perfectly to avoid the keeper's reach. The second goal arrived almost immediately after the restart. Pedro once again found himself in the right place at the right time, this time at the far post.
He capitalised on an in‑swinging cross delivered by Pedro Neto, redirecting the ball into the net with a quick turn. The rapid succession of these two goals put Chelsea firmly in control of the match and forced Milan to chase the game.
Chelsea's dominance did not stop there. Just three minutes later, Caicedo, who had already provided the assist for the opening goal, turned from a provider into a scorer himself. From the edge of the penalty area, he connected with another corner, volleying the ball into the net to make the scoreline 3-0. This sequence highlighted the team's ability to create multiple scoring threats from set‑piece situations, a clear testament to McPhee's early impact.
The match also featured several promising contributions from the bench. Substitutes Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson both displayed energy and determination, forcing the Milan defence to work hard and even hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions. Although they could not add to the tally, their involvement demonstrated the depth of the squad and provided valuable minutes for players who may feature more prominently as the season progresses.
Beyond the goals, the victory served as a significant morale boost for the squad, especially after the earlier setbacks in the pre‑season schedule. The players appeared well‑conditioned after more than an hour of high‑intensity football in the humid Indonesian climate, suggesting that the fitness regime is paying dividends. Commentary from Sky Sports' Ron Walker summed up the performance succinctly: "It hasn't always been the case for Chelsea this pre‑season, but there's no arguing the virtues of their victory today." His remarks underscored the improvement in both defensive organization and attacking fluidity, as well as the growing confidence in the team's set‑piece execution. Looking ahead, the match offers several takeaways for the Blues.
First, the successful implementation of the 3-4-3 formation provides a clear tactical blueprint that can be refined further. Second, the early signs of Austin McPhee's influence suggest that Chelsea may become a more dangerous side from corners and free‑kicks, an area that has historically been a weakness for the club.
Finally, the performances of younger players like Quenda and Jackson indicate that the squad has depth and that competition for places will be fierce, which should drive overall standards higher. The pre‑season itinerary continues to be packed with high‑profile fixtures.
After the win over Milan on August 8, Chelsea will travel to Johor the following day to face Johor Darul Ta'zim, before returning to Stamford Bridge for a clash against Real Sociedad on August 15. These matches will provide further opportunities to test the tactical setups, integrate new signings, and fine‑tune the team's chemistry ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign. In summary, João Pedro's brace not only secured a comfortable win but also highlighted the potential of a Chelsea side that is beginning to click under Xabi Alonso's guidance.
With a solid defensive foundation, an increasingly potent set‑piece threat, and a bench capable of making an impact, the Blues appear to be on a promising trajectory as they prepare for the challenges of the new season.