Chelsea FC and AC Milan will lock horns in a pre-season friendly at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. The match is set to take place on Saturday, August 8, at 05:30 PM IST.
This will be Chelsea’s fourth club-friendly game ahead of the new season, according to khelnow.com. Chelsea is currently under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has led the team to two consecutive losses in pre-season games, according to a report from khelnow.com. The Blues lost to Tottenham and Juventus in back-to-back matches after a win against Western Sydney. Chelsea’s defense has been a concern, as they have conceded six goals in their last three matches.
AC Milan, meanwhile, are also looking to build momentum under new manager Ruben Amorim. The Italian side has not secured a win in their current pre-season run, though they have drawn two games. The Rossoneri were held to a draw by Inter Milan in their most recent match. Both teams are adjusting to new leadership and will be testing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Chelsea’s squad includes several players who recently participated in the FIFA World Cup, including Enzo Fernandez and Reece James. These players are not expected to be available for this match due to their World Cup commitments. AC Milan will also miss out on Christian Pulisic and Mario Gila due to injuries. Mike Maignan is still not part of the squad following his World Cup participation.
Despite these absences, both teams are expected to field strong squads with young talents getting a chance to shine. Chelsea’s lineup is expected to include Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Christopher Nkunku among others. Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick in the first pre-season game but was less influential against Tottenham and Juventus. He will be aiming to improve his performance in this match.
Christopher Nkunku is expected to play as a second striker for AC Milan. He recently scored from a penalty in the Milan derby, helping his team to a draw. His role in this match will be key for AC Milan’s attacking strategy.
This is the 14th meeting between Chelsea and AC Milan in their history. Chelsea has won eight of the previous 13 matches, while Milan has only secured two wins. The last time these two clubs met in pre-season was in 2025, when Chelsea won 4–1 at Stamford Bridge.
Fans in India can watch the match live through the FanCode app and website. In the UK, viewers are able to follow the game via CFC+. In Italy, Sky Sport and DAZN will broadcast the match. For fans in the USA, CBS Sports Network will carry the live coverage.
Chelsea’s new manager is Xabi Alonso, while Ruben Amorim leads AC Milan. Both teams are hoping to use this friendly as a chance to test their tactics and build team chemistry.
Despite the lack of full confidence, Chelsea is predicted to win the match with a scoreline of 3-2. The game will be played without VAR, and the referee is yet to be announced.
Chelsea’s squad includes several key players who will be expected to perform well in this match. AC Milan’s new manager Ruben Amorim is looking for a positive result to build on. The match will be a good opportunity for both teams to assess their progress before the new season begins.
IMAGE: Frank Lampard. Photo: Рыбакова Елена / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0