There was little to separate the teams across the 90 minutes but first-half goals from Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz proved to be the deciding factor in front of 62,617 fans at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Noni Madueke’s header just before the break had given the Blues hope but they were unable to find the goals needed and now turn their attention to Saturday’s friendly with Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Head coach Enzo Maresca changed almost half of his line-up following Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Manchester City. Filip Jorgensen was brought into the starting XI for the first time, as Benoit Badiashile replaced Tosin Adarabioyo in the centre of defence.
Reece James, Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto all retained their place, as did Romeo Lavia in the deep-lying midfield role. The Belgian has started all five of our pre-season games this summer.
Christopher Nkunku, who started as striker against City, was back in the position he has occupied for most of pre-season, alongside Enzo Fernandez in the two ‘pocket’ roles in advance of Lavia.
That meant the three other changes all came in the attacking positions, as Raheem Sterling started on the left, Noni Madueke was on the right and talented teenager Marc Guiu was back leading the line, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk all dropping out.
Real Madrid’s XI included two former Blues in Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger, with another, double-winning Carlo Ancelotti, as the head coach.
The Spanish side were without Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe but did name a strong XI, with Vinicius Jnr, Luka Modric and Rodrygo among those to start.
Chelsea started brightly and created a great chance inside the opening four minutes, as Madueke chipped the ball from the right to the far post and Sterling headed over from close range.
The Blues went close again on 13 minutes when some neat build-up play saw Gusto released on the left wing and although his pull-back was slightly behind the runners, Madueke gathered, laid it off to Sterling and his goal-bound shot was blocked.