By Chelsea are set to host Serie A champions Inter Milan in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. This match marks Chelsea’s final preparation before their 2024-25 Premier League opener against Manchester City on August 18, while Inter gear up for their Serie A kickoff against Genoa on August 17.
Under new management, Chelsea enter this fixture with mixed pre-season form. Enzo Maresca, appointed to replace the dismissed Mauricio Pochettino, has overseen just one victory in five friendlies, including a recent 4-2 defeat to Manchester City. Maresca’s promise of attractive, Guardiola-esque football has been tempered by defensive vulnerabilities, which he’s actively addressing by adjusting the team’s defensive positioning.
Chelsea’s transfer activity remains in focus, with strong links to Wolves star Pedro Neto. His potential addition could complement the creative prowess of Cole Palmer in the forward line, potentially addressing some of the offensive challenges faced in pre-season.
Inter Milan, coming off a dominant Serie A campaign where they finished 19 points clear of second-placed AC Milan, present a formidable challenge. Simone Inzaghi’s side boasted both the best offense and defense in Serie A last season, scoring 89 goals while conceding only 22. Their away form was particularly impressive, suffering just one road defeat in the entire league campaign.
In pre-season, Inter have shown mixed form, winning three, drawing one, and losing one of their five fixtures. Their most recent outing resulted in a 2-0 defeat against Al Ittihad on August 7.
For Chelsea, this match is crucial in fine-tuning Maresca’s tactics before the Premier League kickoff. The manager has publicly acknowledged defensive issues and is keen to see improvements in this area. Fans will be eager to glimpse the evolving playing style under the new regime.
Inter, meanwhile, will use this high-profile friendly as a measuring stick against Premier League opposition, aiming to maintain their sharp form from last season’s triumphant campaign.
As both teams make final preparations for their respective league openers, this friendly at Stamford Bridge promises to be an intriguing clash of styles and a valuable indicator of each side’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
Predicted lineups and team news will be updated closer to kick-off, with both managers likely to use this opportunity to test various combinations and give playing time to a broad squad of players.
