Mykhailo Mudryk made his return to action for Chelsea in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Juventus in Hong Kong. The match, held at Kai Tak Sports Park, marked the winger’s first appearance for the club in nearly two years. Mudryk entered the game as a substitute for Nicolas Jackson in the 82nd minute, receiving a warm reception from his teammates and the 43,575 fans in attendance.
This return follows a period of provisional suspension for the Ukraine international, who had not played a competitive match since November 2024. His suspension was due to an “adverse finding” for meldonium, a banned substance. However, the 25-year-old was cleared to resume playing after resolving the case with the Football Association.
Despite Mudryk’s lively cameo on the left side, Chelsea were unable to prevent Juventus from securing the win. The decisive goal came from Kosovo international Edon Zhegrova, who scored a second-half strike.
Manager’s Reaction and Match Details
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his satisfaction with Mudryk’s return, describing it as an “emotional” moment for everyone at the club. Alonso noted that Mudryk was “thrilled” to be back on the pitch after such a long absence, highlighting the significance of the moment for the player.
The friendly fixture saw both teams field experimental lineups, leading to a largely uneventful first half with limited clear-cut chances. Danny Welbeck, making his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt, had an opportunity but failed to direct a flicked header on target. Early in the second half, a long ball from Moisés Caicedo set up new signing Marco Palestra, whose shot was saved by Mattia Perin.
Juventus broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. Kenan Yildiz provided the assist, squaring the ball for Zhegrova, who curled a shot into the top corner from outside the box. Despite numerous substitutions from both sides, Chelsea could not find an equalizer.
Chelsea’s Pre-Season Lineup and Upcoming Fixtures
The match against Juventus was Chelsea‘s third fixture of their summer tour and their first in Asia. The starting lineup for Chelsea included several new faces and returning players. Robert Sanchez returned in goal, protected by a back four consisting of Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Jorrel Hato. Moisés Caicedo captained the team in midfield alongside Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.
In attack, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda featured on the flanks, with Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck also included. Among the substitutes for the first time on the tour were Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Nicolas Jackson.
Alonso reflected on the game, stating that Chelsea started “pretty well” in the first 30 to 35 minutes, demonstrating good control and creating some chances. However, he noted that the many changes in the second half made the game less controlled. He emphasized that the match was part of a process to get minutes for everyone. Chelsea‘s next match is against Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, followed by pre-season games against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and Spain’s Real Sociedad.
Other Pre-Season Action
In other pre-season news, Christopher Nkunku converted a late penalty to secure a draw for Milan against Inter in a derby held in Perth. This match was Milan‘s first since the passing of Franco Baresi, who captained the club during the 1980s and 1990s. A minute’s silence was observed before the game, with players from both teams linking arms in tribute.
In front of 52,310 fans in Australia, Serie A champions Inter initially took the lead with Federico Dimarco‘s strike in the 52nd minute. However, Nkunku was fouled by Carlos Augusto in the 83rd minute and subsequently converted the penalty to level the score.
Source: theguardian.com
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