Chelsea managed to shake off the disappointment of two consecutive pre‑season losses with what can be described as their most polished display under manager Xabi Alonso to date. The turning point came in Jakarta, where a stellar performance from Joao Pedro, who netted two goals, propelled the Blues to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Serie A giants AC Milan. The tactical setup 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 opted for a pure 3‑4‑3 system, a decision that paid dividends against a formidable Milan side.
The shift allowed the left wing‑back, Marco Palestra, to showcase his attacking instincts, providing width and delivering dangerous balls into the box. Additionally, the influence of the newly appointed set‑piece specialist, Austin McPhee, was already evident, hinting at a promising evolution in Chelsea's dead‑ball situations. Throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Chelsea averaged ten goals from corners, but in this encounter they managed to convert two of their corner chances within a single half‑hour. The first came just before the interval when Joao Pedro skillfully slipped away from Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and guided Moises Caicedo's corner onto the back post, slipping the ball into the net without any defender intervening.
The second came almost immediately after the restart. Pedro seized the moment at the far post, redirecting Pedro Neto's in‑swinging cross to beat the keeper again. Only three minutes later, Caicedo, who had supplied the earlier assist, turned into the scorer himself by meeting a second corner with a well‑timed volley from the edge of the penalty area. The match also highlighted the depth of the squad.
Substitutes Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson made lively runs and threatened the Milan defence, only to see their efforts thwarted by the wooden frame of the goal. While the visitors might have added more to the scoreline, the 3-0 result was more than sufficient to lift the team's spirits and provide a solid fitness test for most of the starting eleven, who endured over an hour of high‑intensity play in the humid Indonesian climate.
Commentator Ron Walker of Sky Sports 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 observation underscores the progress the team has made, especially in terms of cohesion and execution of set‑piece routines under McPhee's guidance. The match may well represent the first tangible signs of the "Austin McPhee era" in dead‑ball situations, a development that could prove crucial as the season approaches. Beyond the goals, several players left a positive impression.
Marco Palestra's overlapping runs on the left flank added a new dimension to Chelsea's attack, while Moises Caicedo demonstrated his versatility, contributing both as a provider and a scorer. Joao Pedro's composure in front of goal, particularly his ability to find space in crowded penalty areas, suggests he could become a regular scoring threat for the Blues.
Looking ahead, the fixture list indicates a busy pre‑season itinerary for Chelsea. After the 6-4 thriller against Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28 and a narrow 1-2 loss to Tottenham in Sydney on August 1, the team suffered a 0-1 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5. The Milan victory on August 8 was a much‑needed morale booster. The next challenge will be a match against Johor Darul Ta'zim in Johor on August 9, followed by a high‑profile clash with Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15.
In summary, the key takeaways from the Jakarta showdown are: 1. Tactical clarity: The shift to a 3‑4‑3 formation maximised the strengths of the squad and yielded a convincing win. 2. Set‑piece improvement: Austin McPhee's influence was evident, with two corner goals highlighting a potential new weapon.
3. Squad depth: Even the bench players made an impact, suggesting healthy competition for places. 4. Player development: Joao Pedro, Marco Palestra, and Moises Caicedo all displayed qualities that could be vital in the upcoming season.
Overall, the 3-0 result not only restored confidence after earlier setbacks but also provided a blueprint for how Chelsea might approach future matches, blending tactical discipline with creative flair and set‑piece precision. The team can now look forward to the next fixtures with optimism, armed with the lessons learned from their performance in Jakarta.