Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated his gamers have been nonetheless making an attempt to regulate to his enjoying type after shedding 4-1 to Celtic in a pre-season pleasant in Indiana on Saturday.
Christopher Nkunku’s 89th-minute penalty was the one comfort for the Premier League facet, whereas targets from Matt O’Riley, Kyogo, Luis Palmer – following a Benoit Badiashile mistake – and Mickey Johnston supplied Brendan Rodgers with a a lot happier afternoon.
“Off the ball we have to enhance issues,” Maresca stated, after additionally having to defend his “dangerous type” following a 2-2 draw with Wrexham final Thursday – his first sport in cost.
“You possibly can see typically we confuse when we have to play brief and when we have to play a bit of bit longer however that’s a part of the method.
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Luis Palma scored Celtic’s third after Chelsea defensive mistake
“We maintained a excessive line however when the ball just isn’t beneath strain, you must drop. We’re nonetheless complicated some issues on the ball and off the ball. It’s regular on this second after we are attempting to do one thing new.”
Chelsea had 23 photographs to Celtic’s 14 and virtually two-thirds of the possession, however have been once more responsible of some sloppy defending, resulting in O’Riley’s opener from a brief nook, earlier than two targets within the area of three second-half minutes sealed their destiny.
Some carelessness from Badiashile introduced Palma with Celtic’s third after which a easy ball excessive launched Johnston, who made it 4-0. Nkunku scored from the spot late on following a foul on Raheem Sterling.
Regardless of two lacklustre outcomes, Maresca completed by insisting his staff can be prepared for his or her Premier League opener towards champions Manchester Metropolis on August 18, reside on Sky Sports activities.
He can solely hope for higher when assembly Mexican facet Membership America in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Chelsea’s remaining pre-season schedule
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Highlights from the pre-season pleasant between Chelsea and Wrexham.
July 25: Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham
July 27: Chelsea 1-4 Celtic
August 1: Chelsea vs Membership America – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, kick-off 12am
August 3: Chelsea vs Man Metropolis – Ohio Stadium, Columbus, kick-off 10.30pm
August 7: Chelsea vs Actual Madrid – Financial institution of America Stadium, Charlotte, kick-off 12am
August 11: Chelsea vs Inter Milan – Stamford Bridge, kick-off 3pm
Rodgers delighted with preparation for brand spanking new season
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Brendan Rodgers declared Celtic’s pre-season tour of america had been the right preparation for his facet’s title defence.
The Scottish champions adopted up wins over DC United and Manchester Metropolis with one other four-goal exhibiting in Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, the house of the Combating Irish American soccer staff.
A late penalty disadvantaged Celtic of a clear sheet however that took little away from Rodgers’ feeling of satisfaction as his facet gear up for subsequent Sunday’s William Hill Premiership opener at house to Kilmarnock.
“We nonetheless have one other good week’s work earlier than we arrive into there however this preparation section during the last 12 days has gone in addition to it presumably may have achieved,” he instructed Celtic TV.
“Gamers trying sharp, trying match, trying intense, after which the standard of the soccer to attain the targets. We’ve got scored 12 targets in three video games and two of these towards actually high-quality opponents.
“So we’re in a extremely good place. Now, get again safely and put together for flag day.”
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Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers says he is aware of the areas during which he needs to enhance his squad forward of the brand new season and that there’s work happening behind the scenes to deliver these gamers in.
Regardless of shedding mortgage gamers Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo and never including any outfield gamers to their squad apart from getting Johnston again from West Brom, Celtic have carried on from the place they left off on the finish of final season, after they received 11 of their final 12 video games to clinch the double.
Rodgers was delighted with the depth his facet dropped at the pleasant matches.
“I do know that massive groups do not need to lose video games whether or not it is pre-season or not,” he stated. “Within the performances we had what you’d need from a prime staff – we had construction, expertise within the staff after which you’ve got work.
“That mentality to work and run with expertise and construction provides you a terrific probability. I take a look at Kyogo’s aim, we made about 23-24 passes – to have that confidence and character and anticipate the second.
“Throughout the board I’m actually, actually pleased with the performances. And with the youthful guys coming into the sport there was no distinction, they pressed the sport, they harassed the opponent after which confirmed their high quality after we had the ball.”
There have been a few health points to come up from the sport. Nicolas Kuhn was unnoticed due to a again pressure and Daizen Maeda went off with a knee knock, however each broad gamers are anticipated to be match to face Killie.
