Chelsea and Inter concluded their preseason with a 1-1 draw in a friendly match held at Stamford Bridge, where Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernández captained the Blues, while in the Italian team Joaquín Correa started and Lautaro Martínez was not part of the squad.
With the sweltering heat in London, Chelsea dominated the match from the start, led by Enzo Fernández, who was one of the only two starters, along with goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, that played the full match. The posts and good interventions by Yann Sommer prevented Enzo Maresca’s team from taking the lead.
While Sommer denied clear opportunities to Marc Guiu, Marcus Thuram scored a spectacular goal in the 15th minute of the first half with an assist from Joaquín Correa.
The standout player of the match was Sommer, who, in the second half, saved a clear shot from Christopher Nkunku. Then, the post saved the Inter goalkeeper from another clear chance, this time with Levi Colwill as the protagonist.
Chelsea’s clear supremacy seemed unrewarded until in the 45th minute of the second half Cole Palmer took a free kick, the Inter defense’s clearance fell short, and Lesley Ugochukwu, who had come on ten minutes earlier, seized the chance and equalized with his second goal of the preseason.
Regardless of the result, Maresca, the newly appointed Chelsea coach, must have felt more satisfied than Simone Inzaghi heading into the start of the domestic leagues.
Chelsea will begin their journey in the Premier League at home against reigning champions Manchester City, while Inter will debut in Serie A away against Genoa.