In an engaging preseason friendly at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea and Inter Milan played to a 1-1 draw. Inter held the lead until the 89th minute, when Chelsea managed to equalize from a corner. The match saw Inter without several key players, including Alessandro Bastoni, who was rested due to minor fatigue, and others like Arnautovic, Lautaro, Calhanoglu, Taremi, and Zielinski, who remained in Milan.
Despite these absences, Inter’s performance offered promising signs for coach Simone Inzaghi, with standout displays from Bisseck and Thuram.
Top Performers
Yann Aurel Bisseck: Consistently among the top performers in Inter’s preseason, Bisseck impressed with his confidence and athleticism. He initiated the play leading to Inter’s goal and showed versatility by briefly playing in central defense. His dynamic presence makes him difficult to leave out of the lineup.
Marcus Thuram: Thuram scored a beautifully crafted goal, controlling the ball and shooting across the goal to evade the pressing defender. His technical skill boosted his confidence, and he was a constant threat, tirelessly working to advance his team.
Yann Sommer: Inter’s goalkeeper made two crucial saves, first denying Guiu’s close-range effort and then stopping Nkunku’s acrobatic attempt. His performance sent a clear message to his competitors.
Underperformers
Joaquín Correa: While he provided the assist for Thuram’s goal, Correa struggled to maintain possession and was often off-balance, spending much of the match on the ground.
Kristjan Asllani: Asllani was largely absent from the central play and lacked decisive interventions, highlighting a significant area for improvement.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Mkhitaryan was less effective than usual, struggling to support Dimarco in doubling up on Madueke, which left the left flank vulnerable to Chelsea’s attacks.
Overall, the match provided valuable insights for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming season, with Chelsea set to face Manchester City in their Premier League opener.
