Chelsea recovered from two consecutive pre‑season losses with what can be described as their most impressive display under manager Xabi Alonso to date, as João Pedro netted twice to steer the Blues to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over AC Milan in Jakarta. The tactical setup that had seen the team oscillate between a hybrid 4-2-3-1 and Alonso's preferred 3-4-3 was finally settled into the pure 3-4-3 formation, a decision that paid dividends against the Italian giants.
Left wing‑back Marco Palestra stood out, offering both defensive solidity and attacking width, while the influence of newly appointed set‑piece specialist Austin McPhee was already evident in the way Chelsea handled dead‑ball situations. Throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Chelsea would go on to score ten goals from corners, but in this single 90‑minute encounter they managed two, both directly linked to João Pedro's clinical finishing.
The first came just before the interval when Pedro slipped away from Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, met a pinpoint delivery from Moises Caicedo and slotted the ball home with minimal resistance. The goal not only broke the deadlock but also gave the English side a psychological edge heading into the break. The second strike arrived almost immediately after the restart.
Pedro timed his run perfectly, meeting an in‑swinging cross from Pedro Neto at the far post and converting with a composed finish. Within three minutes, Caicedo, who had provided the initial assist, turned the tables on the opposition by latching onto a volley from the edge of the box after another corner, further extending the lead and showcasing Chelsea's growing proficiency in set‑piece execution. Substitutes Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson added fresh energy in the latter stages, forcing the Milan defence to work overtime and even testing the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
Although neither could add to the tally, their involvement highlighted the depth of the squad and the manager's willingness to rotate players without compromising the team's overall rhythm. The victory, while a friendly result, carries significant morale‑boosting implications. It demonstrates that Alonso's tactical philosophy is beginning to coalesce, especially when the team adopts a clear formation and players understand their roles.
Moreover, the match offered a valuable conditioning test for the starting eleven, many of whom logged more than an hour of high‑intensity play in the humid Indonesian climate. Sky Sports analyst Ron Walker summed up the performance, noting that Chelsea's pre‑season form has been inconsistent but that today's win underscores the virtues of a disciplined defensive shape combined with incisive attacking transitions.
He also pointed out that the early signs of the Austin McPhee era are promising, suggesting that improved set‑piece routines could become a defining feature of the team this season. Looking ahead, the Blues have a busy schedule that will continue to test their adaptability.
Recent fixtures include a 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney on July 28, a narrow 1-2 defeat to Tottenham in the same city on August 1, and a 0-1 loss to Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5. The upcoming match against AC Milan on August 8 in Jakarta, which produced the 3-0 result discussed here, will be followed by a clash with Johor Darul Ta'zim on August 9 in Johor at 1 pm, and finally a home fixture against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15 at 2 pm. These fixtures provide a clear roadmap for the coaching staff to assess player fitness, tactical cohesion, and the effectiveness of new set‑piece strategies under McPhee.
For fans, the win over Milan offers a glimpse of a side that can blend defensive resilience with attacking flair, a balance that will be crucial once the Premier League season kicks off. In summary, Chelsea's 3-0 victory over AC Milan was marked by João Pedro's two goals, a solid tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation, standout performances from wing‑back Marco Palestra, and the early influence of set‑piece coach Austin McPhee. The match served as both a confidence booster and a practical test of the squad's stamina, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the pre‑season tour and the challenges that lie ahead in the competitive campaign.