Alvaro
Morata made his first appearance for Chelsea as they continued their
pre-season preparations with a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the
International Champions Cup on Tuesday.
Bayern raced into a three-goal lead in Singapore, opening the scoring
through Rafinha's long-range strike after only six minutes.
That advantage was soon doubled by Thomas Muller's volley and Bayern's
captain further increased their advantage with a wonderful solo effort just
before the half-hour mark.
However, the Blues responded through Marcos Alonso's thumping drive in
first-half stoppage time, although Michy Batshuayi's 85th-minute goal proved
too little, too late.
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Carlo Ancelotti's team were soon in front when Rafinha picked up possession
of the ball some 30 yards out, before the Brazil international strode
forward and beat Thibaut Courtois with a low shot into the corner of the
net.
Before the Blues could catch their breath, Bayern had doubled their lead as
James Rodriguez - starting out wide on the right - picked out Franck Ribery
on the opposite flank.
The winger's quick feet then saw him get free to the byline, and his
inch-perfect chip to the far post was volleyed home by the unmarked Muller.
The rejuvenated Muller scored his second after 27 minutes, starting a run
inside his own half before beating the helpless Courtois with a curling
effort from just outside the area.
After a pre-arranged water break, Conte made a tactical tweak and got his
players to take a more direct approach with positive consequences as his
side began to gain a foothold in proceedings.
However, the goal that got the Blues back into the contest owed nothing to
that and everything to a lovely move involving Willian, whose clever dummy
released Victor Moses down the right wing.
And when the wing back's pull back reached Alonso on the opposite wing, the
Spaniard launched an unstoppable drive into the top right-hand corner of the
net.
The second half was predictably interrupted by a succession of
substitutions, one of which saw the introduction of Chelsea's new £70m
signing Morata.
But given just 27 minutes to impress, the Spaniard was unable to make the
dream debut, although Batshuayi continued his impressive pre-season form by
scoring a late consolation for Chelsea.
Man of the Match: Franck Ribery
The diminutive winger was back to his best in the heat and humidity of
Singapore, reminding everyone of his vast array of skills.
In particular, the Frenchman's close control and dazzling feet in the
lead-up to Bayern's second goal were a joy to watch.
What next?
Chelsea face Serie A side Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup at
the same National Stadium on Thursday, with the game again getting underway
in Singapore at 12.35pm.
And on Sunday, August 6 the Blues get their season underway when they take
on FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley.
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