Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, said his players were still adjusting to his playing style after losing 4-1 to Celtic in a pre-season friendly in Indiana on Saturday.
The Premier League side’s lone consolation was Christopher Nkunku’s 89th-minute penalty, while goals from Matt O’Riley, Kyogo, Luis Palmer (after a mistake by Benoit Badiashile), and Mickey Johnston made Brendan Rodgers’ afternoon considerably brighter.
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“Off the ball, we need to improve things,” Maresca remarked, after having to defend his “risky style” during a 2-2 draw with Wrexham last Thursday, his first game in charge.
“As you can see, we sometimes get confused about when we should play short and when we should play a little longer, but it is part of the process.
Luis Palma scores Celtic’s third following a Chelsea defensive error.
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“We kept a high line, but when the ball is not under pressure, you have to lower. We are still confused about various things on and off the ball. It’s natural right now that we’re attempting something new.”
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Chelsea had 23 shots to Celtic’s 14 and over two-thirds of the possession, but they were once again guilty of careless defending, resulting in O’Riley’s opening from a short corner, before two goals in three second-half minutes sealed their fate.
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Badiashile’s recklessness allowed Palma to score Celtic’s third, and Johnston made it 4-0 with an easy ball over the top. Nkunku scored from the penalty spot late in the game after a foul on Raheem Sterling.
Despite two disappointing results, Maresca concluded by stating that his team would be prepared for their Premier League start against champions Manchester City on August 18, live on Sky Sports.
He can only hope for the best when he faces Mexican side Club America in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Chelsea’s remaining preseason schedule
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Highlights from Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham.
July 25: Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham.
July 27: Chelsea 1–4 Celtic
August 1: Chelsea vs Club America at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, kickoff at 12 a.m.
August 3: Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Ohio Stadium, Columbus, kickoff 10.30pm
August 7: Chelsea against Real Madrid – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, kickoff 12 a.m.
August 11: Chelsea vs Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge, kick-off 3pm.
Rodgers is satisfied with the preparation for the new season.
Brendan Rodgers deemed Celtic’s pre-season tour of the United States to be the ideal preparation for his team’s title defence.
The Scottish champions followed up victories over DC United and Manchester City with another four-goal performance at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, home of the Fighting Irish American football club.
A late penalty cost Celtic a clean sheet, but Rodgers was nevertheless pleased as his side prepares for their William Hill Premiership opening against Kilmarnock next Sunday.
“We still have another good week’s work before we arrive into there but this preparation phase over the last 12 days has gone as well as it possibly could have done,” he told Celtic Television.
“Players appearing sharp, fit, and intense, followed by the quality of the football to score goals. We’ve scored 12 goals in three games, two of which were against high-quality opponents.
“So we’re at a pretty fantastic place. Now, return safely and prepare for Flag Day.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he knows the areas where he wants to strengthen his team.
Play Video – Rodgers focuses on transfer targets ‘There is work going on behind the scenes.’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes he understands where he wants to enhance his team ahead of the new season and that work is underway behind the scenes to bring those individuals in.
Despite losing loan players Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo and not adding any outfield players to their squad other than Johnston’s return from West Brom, Celtic have picked up where they left off at the close of last season, when they won 11 of their last 12 games to win the double.
Rodgers was pleased with the intensity his team brought to the friendly matches.
“I know that big teams don’t want to lose games whether it’s pre-season or not,” the coach added. “In the performances, we had what you would expect from a top team: structure, talent, and work.
“That mentality of working and running with talent and structure offers you a fantastic opportunity. When I look at Kyogo’s goal, we made approximately 23-24 passes in order to maintain that confidence and personality while waiting for the right opportunity.
“Overall, I am really pleased with the performances. And there was no change when the younger players entered the game; they pressed the game, tormented the opponent, and then demonstrated their abilities when we had the ball.”
The game resulted in a few fitness difficulties. Nicolas Kuhn was out due to a back strain, and Daizen Maeda had a knee injury, but both wide players are expected to be healthy to face Killie.
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