Match report: Chelsea 2 Inter 0

Another game, another two-nil win. But this wasn’t an ordinary game, or an ordinary performance. Aside from Chelsea's newest biggest fans, Will Ferrell and Charlize Theron, another 80,998 people crammed themselves into the stadium at Pasadena to see Chelsea take on the champions of Italy and produce a performance that suggests the squad is nearing readiness for the 09/10 campaign.

As he did against the Sounders, Ancelotti opted for a 4-4-2 diamond, this time with slightly more familiar personnel. Despite his good performance at the weekend, Sturridge found himself on the bench (my first impressions are that, when playing two up front, it will be Drogba and either Sturridge or Anelka), Mikel and Lampard at the bottom and top of the diamond respectively and Essien and Malouda taking the ‘wide’ roles.

With 81,000 supporters creating a good atmosphere for a pre-season game (we’ll ignore the mexican waves that rippled round the ground in the second half), Chelsea started brightly against Jose Mourinho’s side and didn’t look back. Smart one and two touch possession football was the order of the day and, with Kalou, Malouda and Cole linking up well down the left there was far more width than we saw on Saturday. Whilst against the Sounders Chelsea didn’t force a corner until the second half, this time two early corners inside the first five minutes produced good chances for Drogba and Terry – both headed over the bar.

A relatively high tempo game was already punctuated with its fair share of solid tackles (Carvalho on Balotelli, for example, and Mikel had a good battle with Veira), but Chelsea’s lively start was rewarded after just ten minutes. Drogba, who had found himself on the left, unleashed a curling shot towards goal. Despite a slight deflection, the Inter keeper should have done far better diving to his left but wasn’t able to keep it out. Wouldn’t say Jose looked entirely happy…

The first ten minutes set the tone for the following 80 – with Lampard going close and Kalou squandering one or two half chances. With Inter barely getting out of their half, Chelsea’s 4-4-2 was functioning well, creating fluent football I wouldn’t have expected 135 minutes into pre-season. From a building fitness perspective the game was perfect: both sides pressing well and maintaining a good pace to the game.

Only three changes at half time meant that Chelsea kept their fluidity and it took just three minutes for Chelsea to double their lead. Deco found Sturridge in the box (both had come on at half time) and, in a reversal of his goal on Saturday, his first touch helped him deftly check back past the defender and onto his right boot while his shot was blocked. Picking up the loose ball he shot again, this time finding the hand of the same defender. Result: a penalty (I admit that, being slightly blurry eyed watching the game this morning, I’ve no recollection of whether it was a fair pen or not) which Lampard converted.

More players got a run out (Turnbull, Beletti, the impressive Mancienne, Hutchinson) but Chelsea continued in the same vein for the remainder of the half – albeit perhaps lacking a cutting edge, with more half-chances for Deco, Lampard and Sturridge failing to find their target. The arrival of Ibrahimovic and Mancini did have a galvanising effect on Inter but, aside from one long range effort and a misplaced shot in the box (83 minute), the former was unable to make much of an impact. His head is probably already in Barcelona, to be fair…

Lampard – you have to say his fitness is incredible – came off the field on 87 minutes to a standing ovation from the American fans. Di Santo was his replacement and should have done better than blazing over from point blank range following a beautiful flick into the box from Deco. With Sturridge making such an impressive start you get the feeling Di Santo has to do better, and quickly, if he doesn’t want to spend another season in the reserves or out on loan.

Again, pre-season games are about fitness and you certainly can’t read too much into results or performances. But it certainly was an impressive performance – genuinely Inter weren’t in the game – and the 4-4-2 formation was a whole lot more convincing than I expected. All that was missing was a little extra sharpness in the final third, and perhaps a more consistently high tempo, but that should come…

Bridgeviews man of the match: Ashley Cole. The left back worked tirelessly up and down the left for 80 minutes, linking well with Kalou and Malouda particularly in the first half. Flawless in defence.

Comments

[TheAngryIntern]

Good match report!

Will Farrell isn't exactly a new fan, it's been known he's been a supporter for years. He was on Letterman or Leno a few years back wearing that same Fly Emirates kit. I didn't know Charlize was a fan, but I think it's more that some charity she supports works with the LA Futbol Club. Was disappointed to see Alyssa Milano wearing an Inter kit, though.

[Russell Saunders]

theangryintern - welcome to the blog and thanks for your comment!

Yeah - realise Ferrell's a long-term fan. Think he's been over to the Bridge a few times, no? You're probably right about Charlize, but was being a bit tongue-in cheek.

Have to say though, if the league was awarded the side with the best celebrity fans, we'd win hands down every year