Chelsea managed to snap the streak of consecutive pre‑season losses with what can be described as their most convincing display under Xabi Alonso to date. The Portuguese forward João Pedro was the catalyst, netting two goals that helped the Blues secure a comfortable 3‑0 triumph over AC Milan in Jakarta, Indonesia. The tactical set‑up that had seen Chelsea oscillate between a hybrid 4‑2‑3‑1 and Alonso’s preferred 3‑4‑3 was finally abandoned in favour of the pure 3‑4‑3 system.
The change paid immediate dividends against the Serie A giants. Marco Palestra, operating as a left wing‑back, was a constant threat down the flank, delivering overlapping runs and precise crosses that kept the Milan defence on edge.
In addition, the influence of the club’s newly appointed set‑piece specialist, Austin McPhee, was already evident, signalling a fresh focus on dead‑ball situations. Statistically, Chelsea have been prolific from corners this season, having recorded ten goals from corner kicks in the Premier League campaign of 2025/26. In Jakarta, they managed to convert two of those chances within a single half‑hour, both involving João Pedro. The first came just before the interval when João Pedro managed to slip away from Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and tap in a low, unguarded delivery from Moisés Caicedo.
The timing was perfect, and the goal gave the Blues a deserved lead. The second strike arrived almost immediately after the restart. Pedro Neto sent an in‑swinging cross that found João Pedro at the far post, where he met the ball with a swift, well‑timed finish to double Chelsea’s advantage. Only three minutes later, Caicedo, who had already provided the assist for the opening goal, turned the tables on himself.
He delivered a corner that was met by a teammate on the edge of the box, whose volley was redirected to Caicedo, who slotted it home to make it 3‑0. Chelsea’s substitutes also made an impact, even if they were unable to add to the scoreline. Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson both displayed energy and intent, forcing the Milan defence to work hard, but each saw their attempts rebound off the woodwork. Despite the missed opportunities, the victory was a morale booster for the squad, especially given the grueling travel schedule that saw most of the starting eleven endure over an hour of flight time to reach Indonesia.
Sky Sports analyst Ron Walker summed up the performance succinctly: “It hasn’t always been the case for Chelsea this pre‑season, but there’s no denying the virtues of today’s win.” His comment underscored the importance of the result not just in terms of points – which are irrelevant in friendlies – but as a statement of intent and a glimpse of the tactical evolution under Alonso. The match also offered a preview of what could become a hallmark of the new era at Stamford Bridge: the Austin McPhee influence on set‑pieces. The two goals that came from dead‑ball situations were a clear indication that the club’s investment in a specialist coach is beginning to bear fruit.
If the trend continues, Chelsea could become one of the most dangerous teams in Europe when it comes to corners, free‑kicks and indirect set‑plays. Looking back at the pre‑season itinerary, Chelsea have already faced a variety of opposition across three continents.
They opened the tour on July 28 with a high‑scoring 6‑4 win against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney, followed by a narrow 1‑2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on August 1 in the same city. A 0‑1 loss to Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5 added a further challenge before the decisive victory over Milan on August 8 in Jakarta.
The next fixture on the schedule is a friendly against Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia on August 9, after which the team returns to England for a match against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15. In summary, the key take‑aways from the Jakarta encounter are: 1.
**Tactical Clarity** – The shift to a pure 3‑4‑3 formation gave the team a more defined shape, allowing wing‑backs like Palestra to exploit space and providing a solid defensive base. 2. **Set‑Piece Progress** – Austin McPhee’s methods are already translating into goals, a promising sign for future competitive matches where set‑pieces can decide tight games.
3. **Attacking Depth** – João Pedro’s brace, coupled with the contributions of Caicedo, Neto and the impact substitutes, highlighted the breadth of attacking options available to Alonso. 4. **Resilience on the Road** – The squad coped well with the extensive travel demands, maintaining high intensity throughout the match despite the long journey.
5. **Confidence Boost** – After a mixed pre‑season start, the comprehensive win should lift the players’ confidence ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign. Overall, the 3‑0 victory over AC Milan not only added a trophy to Chelsea’s pre‑season cabinet but also provided a clear roadmap for the tactical and technical improvements the team intends to build upon as the new season approaches.