A
late double from substitute Oscar secured Chelsea a 3-1 win over AC Milan in
their final International Champions Cup match in Minneapolis.
In an open first half, Bertrand Traore headed in from close range to open
the scoring on 24 minutes, but saw his effort cancelled out by a superb
Giacomo Bonaventura equaliser from a 38th minute free-kick.
N'Golo Kante was brought on for his first Chelsea appearance after the break
to shore up Antonio Conte's side, but it was fellow replacement Oscar who
grabbed the headlines, converting a penalty in the 70th minute and adding a
late third to seal success for the Blues.
The match was the first sports event to be played at the new $1.061bn U.S.
Bank Stadium, with the attendance on the night 64,101.
The result sees Chelsea sign off their International Champions Cup campaign
with victory, with only Werder Bremen to come on Sunday in their pre-season
diary.
Chelsea started the match rather sluggishly, with Thibaut Courtois forced to
make a fine stop to deny Milan skipper Ignazio Abate in just the second
minute of the match.
Diego Costa then headed over when he should have done better, before
Courtois was again called into action on 16 minutes, this time getting a
foot to M'Baye Niang's drive from the angle.
Then, somewhat against the run of play, Chelsea took the lead, with
youngster Ola Ania key to the move. The full-back's long throw caught Milan
out, Nemanja Matic had time to play in Victor Moses, his fizzed effort was
well saved, but Traore was on hand to head home the loose ball from close
range.
Chelsea dominated after taking the lead, with Cesar Azpilicueta surprisingly
going close from distance, but a moment of magic soon evened things up.
Sometimes you just have to stand and applaud brilliance, and that is all
Chelsea could do as Bonaventura curled the ball over the top of the wall
from a free-kick, out of reach of Courtois and into the bottom corner. It
was simply perfect execution.
After the break, Chelsea were again distinctly lacklustre, and had Milan's
woeful finishing to thank for allowing them to remain in the contest.
Conte quickly made changes, with Kante helping to stop the rot, and Eden
Hazard looking especially lively.
Willian saw his thunderous effort well saved, but minutes later, Chelsea had
the perfect opportunity to regain the advantage from the spot, after Andrea
Poli inexplicably handed in the box.
Oscar stepped up and converted emphatically, and three minutes from time
made sure of the win for the Blues, as he controlled a shot into the bottom
corner superbly after fellow substitute Juan Cuadrado had played him in.
top