Without N’Golo Kanté, deprived of an American tour due to his vaccination status, Chelsea started their season well with a friendly success against the Mexicans of Club America (2-1). Only downside: the improbable goal against his camp of Reece James.
Ideal for gaining confidence. Chelsea won 2-1 against Mexico’s Club America in a friendly match played on the night of Saturday to Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, near Las Vegas (Nevada). For this first pre-season match, coach Thomas Tuchel rotated, leaving Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Reece James, Marcos Alonso, César Azpilicueta and Jorginho on the bench, all returned in the second half. And after a first period which ended in a scoreless draw, it was the entrants who made the difference.
The beautiful blunder of Reece James
Werner scored the first goal in the 55th minute, on a serve from Reece James near the penalty spot. Club America came back to score in the 60th minute after a catastrophic back pass from Reece James to goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, caught on the wrong foot and who couldn’t do anything to prevent the ball from entering his cages. It was in the 83rd that Mount allowed his team to regain the advantage with a nice shot at the entrance to the area, well found by Marcos Alonso. Chelsea will continue their series of friendlies in the United States against Charlotte FC and Arsenal.
Club America will play for its part for the next ten days against two other European leaders, Manchester City and Real Madrid. The Blues traveled to the United States without French world champion N’Golo Kanté or Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who do not meet the conditions for entering American territory due to their anti-Covid vaccination status. .
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