SteemSports Presenter: @timoshey
SteemSports Editor/Writer: @writingamigo
Ancelotti’s men played their best pre-season game so far against Chelsea. After losing 2-1 on penalties against Arsenal and also going down 4-0 to AC Milan, it was important for them to step up their preparations for the new season and they did just that against Antonio Conte’s men. Concerns had begun to surface about the ability of Bayern Munich to cope with the recent retirement of influential stars from club football; players like Phillip Lahm and Xabi Alonso announced their retirement from football last season. But the Bayern players really stepped up their game in this match to calm the concerns a little. Two goals from Thomas Muller and another from Brazilian full-back Rafinha raced Bayern Munich to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Wing-back Marcos Alonso pulled one back for Chelsea just before the half-time and record signing Alvaro Morata was on hand to assist the in-form Michy Batshuayi to make it 3-2. Bayern created a lot of chances in the game many of which fell to James Rodriguez who’s bad luck in front of goal continued. He is still yet to open his account with Bayern Munich after joining on a two-year loan deal from European Champions Real Madrid.
Alvaro Morata got his first taste of Chelsea action on Tuesday to the delight of many Chelsea fans. He came on after 63 minutes with Chelsea trailing 3-1. He won the corner that led to Chelsea’s goal; he was then involved in the goal again as he flicked a backward header toward Batshuayi who gracefully slotted the ball into the back of the net to reduce the deficit. It was a very disappointing display from Conte’s men who were down 3-0 after just 27 minutes.
The first goal came from Bayern right-back Rafinha who drove forward and fired a low strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards out with just six minutes gone in the game. Thomas Muller volleyed home the second goal for Bayern Munich six minutes later, he later buried a brilliant strike from 30 yards out to take Bayern three goals up. After the third goal, Bayern began to play the game with little intensity than they did earlier and Chelsea were able to capitalize on that and pull one back with Marcos Alonso scoring the goal. In-form Batshuayi who seems to find his goalscoring form after his double against Arsenal reduced the deficit for his club after slotting home the second goal to make it 3-2.
Chelsea will play their final pre-season game against Inter in Asia on Saturday, before they return to the UK to prepare for the Community Shield game that will see them take on last season’s FA Cup Winners; Arsenal on August 6.
Chelsea Starting XI
Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Boga.
Bayern Munich Starting XI
Starke; Rafinha, Martinez, Hummels, Friedl; Sanchez, Tolisso; James, Muller, Ribery; Lewandowski.
