Match report: Chelsea 2 AC Milan 1

Chelsea’s second game in succession against Milanese opposition resulted in another win. This game however – aside from being played in front of another mammoth American crowd – was an entirely different prospect to Wednesday’s stroll against Inter.

Once again Chelsea lined up with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, but this time with Zhirkov and Beletti filling the wide roles and Essien not even on the bench. Drogba and Anelka started upfront, and Ivanovic partnered Terry in the centre of defence.

Chelsea started brightly, and ten minutes of slick one touch football were enough to convince most that this was going to be another dominant match for the blues. Chelsea’s first goal came after just six minutes when Drogba took advantage of Milan’s refusal to close him down to strike a fierce shot into the top left hand corner of Kalac’s net from a good 35 yards. A bit special, and Drogba looked in great form throughout the first half.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, it was already becoming clear that AC Milan would pose more of a threat than their local rivals had midweek. Ronaldinho was showing that he hasn’t lost any of the skills that made him the best player in the world and Pato’s guile and pace were providing the perfect outlet for Leonardo’s side. On 19 minutes they carved out their first chance, with Pirlo’s shot from distance forcing a block from Cech, only for the ball to fall to Ronaldinho who attempted an exquisite overhead kick, which went wide.

A far more balanced half followed, although arguably Chelsea were carving out the better chances with Lampard pulling the strings and both Drogba and Anelka looking sharp. Zhirkov, making his debut, played a conservative game but looked very accomplished on the ball, making a series of good runs, passes and interceptions. He’s quick, too. It looks like he’s got a good cross – Drogba could enjoy playing with him this season.

Despite Chelsea’s best efforts, it was Milan who scored next to bring the score level. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Ronaldinho layed the ball off expertly to Seedorf who arrived to slap a shot that wickedly swerved up and away from Cech into the roof of the net. Cech got close, but in my view the shot was struck with such venom that there wasn’t much he could have done about it.

Chelsea nearly responded immediately, with Lampard and Zhirkov both having shots blocked and Bosingwa hitting a left footed drive narrowly over the bar, but the score remained one all going in at half time. Good performances from each side, but you get the feeling Ancelotti would have liked Beletti and Zhirkov to provide a little more width and Mikel to show a little more discipline at the base of the diamond. Leonardo too must have been unhappy with his side’s pressing in defence, which was offering Drogba, Anelka and Lampard far too much time and space.

No changes by either side after half time, and Chelsea again started brightly with Drogba and Anelka combining well, with the latter putting a shot just wide after 47. But it was Milan who provided the real moment of quality in the game just one minute later, with Ronaldinho feeding Seedorf with an incredible outside of the boot flick, with the Dutchman eventually volleying just over from just inside the penalty box. Milan increased the pressure and played the better football for the next 10-20 minutes, with the best chance falling to Ronaldinho who smashed a freekick against the crossbar.

Beletti and particularly Zhirkov were acquitting themselves well, but you still get the feeling that the team could do with a little extra creativity from the right – especially if the plan is to play a slightly narrow 4-4-2.

The first substitution for Chelsea came on 63 minutes, with Shevchenko replacing Anelka, and it took just five minutes for Chelsea to score what turned out to the the winning goal. Shevchenko showed uncommon quick feet on the left side of the box to find the space to shoot, only for the shot to be blocked. Lampard’s volley from the rebound was also blocked, but this time the ball found its way to Zhirkov who had arrived on the edge of a packed penalty area to hit a clean left-footed strike low to the right of Kalac’s outstretched hand.

Immediately Milan upped the pressure on Cech’s goal again, but this time Chelsea held the lead. Pizarro came on for Drogba on 74 minutes, but aside from one nice interchange with Lampard ten minutes later he remained largely anonymous. It’s interesting that Ancelotti chose to play both Shevchenko an Pizarro in this game – perhaps he saw it as a good shop window for two strikers who are unlikely to remain at the club, although I guess it’s possible he’s considering keeping one. However unlikely the latter might seem, there isn’t a situation I can envisage in which anyone at Chelsea could identify anything about Pizarro’s game that was is worthy of keeping him at the club. You’re running out of time to prove me wrong, Claudio…

Mancienne and Hutchinson came on for cameo roles in the last five but, despite a late surge from Milan (Inzaghi heading a good chance wide) and Chelsea perhaps looking a little weary, it never looked likely that the score would end level. In fact, Lampard arguably should have scored deep into injury time having turned beautifully in the box and shooting wide from six yards following good build up play from Shevchenko.

In summary, another good warm up game for Chelsea. Whilst on the face of it the performance wasn’t at the same level as Wednesday’s, Milan put up a sterner test and provided Chelsea’s rearguard an entirely different set of problems to deal with – ideal in terms of preparing for the season proper. Just one game left in the States before returning to England for the final warm up game against Reading.

bridgeviews man of the match - difficult one, this. Mikel started slowly but improved in the second half, successfully shackling Milan's ageing but nevertheless quality attacking talent. Lampard too was very effective in taking advantage of the space between Milan's attack and defence, and Ashley Cole was again excellent. Zhirkov's opening display for the club was intelligent and saw him score the winning goal though - so just he edges out those three, for me.

Comments

[ssssss]

lampard looked like a bit lost.

[Russell Saunders]

Thanks for your comment! I'm not sure though. Yes, I think perhaps he didn't look as 'at home' as we might normally expect him, but I guess he's adjusting to a slightly new position.

Other than that though, I thought that a lot of the good things that Chelsea did went through him and, yet again, he was the most creative passer of the ball on the pitch (in blue at least).