Chelsea 4-1 AC Milan: Final preseason test ends with red card and defeat

AC Milan ended their 2025 preseason campaign with a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The home side took an early two-goal lead through an Andrei Coubis own-goal and a Joao Pedro strike, and then the defender saw red for a last-man challenge not long after. Liam Delap scored twice in the second half including a penalty, either side of Youssouf Fofana’s consolation.

Rather unsurprisingly, Massimiliano Allegri made 10 changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Leeds United in Dublin on Saturday. Only Yunus Musah remained, with the likes of Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori, Samuele Ricci, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao all starting.

It took Chelsea less than five minutes to take the lead, and it was a strike of misfortune for Andrei Coubis. Reece James floated in a cross from the left side and it seemed to ricochet in off the Romanian defender from just a few yards out.

Less than three minutes after their first goal, Chelsea got a second. Pedro Neto was afford space to drive towards the box and his clipped ball was headed in by Joao Pedro from close range, with the striker having acres of space.

Milan had their first big chance of the game in the 17th minute when Rafael Leao slipped a ball in behind for the run of Alexis Saelemaekers. His stinging shot was well saved, then Leao headed the rebound over the ball.

A nightmare start for Coubis was made even worse just after that big chance, with the centre-back bringing down Joao Pedro as the last man. The referee showed no leniency despite it being a friendly and gave him a straight red card.

Photo by AC Milan

Cole Palmer twice came within inches of scoring a third for the home side, and both chances were free-kicks from a central area. The first one rattled the left upright, and the second sent Maignan sprawling but ended up just wide.

Milan then had a good period despite being a man down. Saelemaekers had a free-kick blocked in a dangerous area, then Leao glances in a brilliant header but had unfortunately just strayed a yard offside in making his run. Not long after, the Portuguese winger darted in behind and had a shot from a narrow angle saved.

Luka Modric came on for Samuele Ricci at half time and he got on the ball plenty early on, including a shot three minutes into the second half that didn’t really test Sanchez.

In the 55th minute, Youssouf Fofana really had to score having been found in behind, yet he tried to take the ball around Sanchez and it was ultimately scrambled clear as Saelemaekers hoped to fire into what would have been an empty net.

The referee Mike Salisbury continued to not endear himself to the Milan players and 20 minutes into the second half he gave a penalty to Chelsea, for what was adjudged to be a foul by Yunus Musah on Estevao. Liam Delap took on the responsibility and scored emphatically.

The Rossoneri did deserve some reward for their attacking play, and they finally got a goal with 20 minutes left. Saelemaekers played a nice through ball to Fofana, who didn’t make the same mistake as before in overplaying it, instead lashing it in at the near post.