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Chelsea vs AC Milan: Predicted Lineups, Score Prediction & Preview
Chelsea vs AC Milan: Preseason Friendly Preview – Everything You Need to Know
Quick Summary: Chelsea and AC Milan face off in Jakarta on Saturday, August 8. Both teams are in the middle of their summer tours, trying out new players and tactics before the real season starts. Chelsea has lost their last two games, while Milan drew their only game so far. Experts predict a 1-1 draw.
What’s Happening?
Imagine two soccer teams getting ready for a big school year. Before the real games count, they play practice matches called "preseason friendlies" or "summer tours." These games don’t count for trophies, but they help coaches see what works and give new players a chance to shine.
Chelsea (from London, England) and AC Milan (from Milan, Italy) are meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia this Saturday for one of these practice games.
Chelsea’s Summer So Far: A Rollercoaster Ride
Chelsea’s summer tour has been like a movie with plot twists:
| Game | Result | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| vs Western Sydney Wanderers | Won 6-4 | Chaotic, high-scoring fun! |
| vs Tottenham Hotspur | Lost 2-1 | Lost to 10-man Spurs with a late goal |
| vs Juventus | Lost 1-0 | Dull game decided by a wonder strike |
Key concern: In the Juventus game, Chelsea struggled to create chances without their star playmaker Cole Palmer (think of him as the team’s "creative brain"). Their new manager Xabi Alonso (a former Liverpool and Real Madrid legend) would like to see more attacking ideas before the real season starts.
Milan’s Short & Sweet Tour
AC Milan’s tour is much shorter:
- Flew to Perth, Australia → Played Inter Milan (their city rivals) → Drew 1-1
- Flew to Jakarta → Play Chelsea → Fly home to Europe
Their new boss Ruben Amorim (who previously managed Manchester United) was happy with the draw against Inter but knows his team needs improvement.
Important Points to Know
KEY INJURY & ABSENCE UPDATES
Chelsea Missing:
- Cole Palmer – Minor knock (had groin issues last season)
- Levi Colwill – Minor knock (missed most of last season with ACL tear)
- Morgan Rogers – New signing, not available
- Reece James – Club captain, injured
Milan Missing:
- Christian Pulisic – US star injured at World Cup ("Captain America" nickname)
Exciting Returns/Debuts:
- Mykhailo Mudryk – First Chelsea appearance in 20 months after doping ban lifted
- Mike Penders – Made unofficial Chelsea debut vs Juventus
- Gonçalo Ramos – Could make first Milan start after $84M move from PSG
- Ex-Chelsea stars at Milan: Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku
Predicted Lineups (Who Might Start)
Chelsea (4-2-3-1 Formation)
Think of this as: 1 Goalkeeper – 4 Defenders – 2 Midfielders – 3 Attacking Midfielders – 1 Striker
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Robert Sánchez |
| Defenders | Palestra, Acheampong, Sarr, Hato |
| Defensive Midfield | Caicedo, Lavia |
| Attacking Midfield | Estêvão, Pedro, Gittens |
| Striker | Danny Welbeck |
Note: Many young "Cobham starlets" (academy graduates) getting chances!
AC Milan (3-4-2-1 Formation)
3 Center-backs – 4 Midfielders – 2 Attacking Midfielders – 1 Striker
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Torriani |
| Center-backs | Tomori, Gabbia, Vladimirov |
| Wing-backs | Saelemaekers, Bartesaghi |
| Central Midfield | Modrić, Fofana |
| Attacking Midfield | Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku |
| Striker | Gonçalo Ramos |
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 8 |
| Location | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Stadium | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium |
| Kickoff Time | 8:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM BST |
How to Watch
| Country | TV Channel / Streaming Service |
|---|---|
| United States | CFC+, CBS Sports Network, fuboTV, FOX Deportes, FOX One |
| Canada | CFC+ |
| Mexico | CFC+, Claro Sports |
| United Kingdom | CFC+ |
| Everywhere else | Full broadcaster list |
Pro Tip: CFC+ is Chelsea’s official streaming platform – available in most countries!
Score Prediction
Chelsea 1 – 1 AC Milan
Why?
- Chelsea lacks cutting edge without Palmer & key players
- Milan’s new system under Amorim is hard to break down
- Both teams experimenting with lineups
- Preseason games often end level
- Ex-Chelsea players at Milan (Tomori, Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku) know their old team well
Summary
- Chelsea vs AC Milan in Jakarta, Saturday August 8
- Chelsea lost last two preseason games; Milan drew their only game
- Both teams missing key players (Palmer, Pulisic, James, Rogers)
- Young players and new signings getting chances
- Three ex-Chelsea stars line up for Milan
- Prediction: 1-1 draw
- Watch on CFC+ or local sports channels
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Do these preseason games count for anything?
No! They’re practice matches. The scores don’t affect league tables or trophies. They’re for fitness, tactics, and giving new players minutes.
2. Why are they playing in Indonesia?
Big clubs tour Asia/USA/Australia in summer to:
- Build global fanbase
- Make money from TV/sponsors
- Train in different conditions
- Play against different styles
3. Who is Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim?
- Xabi Alonso = Chelsea’s new manager. Won everything as a player (World Cup, Euros, Champions League). First big managerial job.
- Ruben Amorim = Milan’s new manager. Won titles in Portugal with Sporting CP. Had tough spell at Manchester United.
4. What’s CFC+?
Chelsea’s official streaming service. Like Netflix but for Chelsea games, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes content. Works in most countries.
5. When does the REAL season start?
- Premier League (Chelsea): Mid-August 2025
- Serie A (Milan): Late August 2025
- These friendlies are the final dress rehearsals!
Enjoy the game! Whether you’re watching at 5 AM or 1 PM, it’s a great chance to see the future stars of both clubs in action.
