Udinese 1 Chelsea 3 : Three Super Eagles-eligible players feature as Blues return to winning ways
Published: July 29, 2022Premier League giants Chelsea engaged in a pre-season friendly game against Serie A side Udinese Calcio at the Dacia Arena today with the final score ending in a 3-1 defeat for the Bianconeri.
Chelsea returned to winning ways after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in their last pre-season fixture before their trip to Italy.
The match comes as Udinese's final pre-season game as Nigeria international Isaac Success and Nigeria-eligible left-back Destiny Udogie were able to make the Bianconeri's starting line-up.
Derby County academy product of Nigerian descent Festy Ebosele entered the game as a substitute with four minutes left on the clock, replacing Udogie.
The game started at a frantic pace with Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri making crucial stops to deny Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount from close range in the 6th and 13th minute respectively.
France's World Cup-winning midfielder N'golo Kante broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a lovely shot into the bottom corner via the post after dancing through a few Udinese players in a mesmerizing run.
New signing Raheem Sterling then doubled the Blues' lead in the 37th minute via a rebound after his initial effort was saved by Silvestri.
Udinese pulled one back before the break as Gerard Deulofeu pounced on a loose ball after Edouard Mendy parried Pereyra's initial shot.
Sterling then hit a back heel shot which was heading for goal in the 55th minute before Udogie made a crucial block to keep the score at 1-2.
Success also found space on the edge of the area a few minutes later but his shot went wide of the post.
Chelsea dominated every facet of play onwards with Udogie and Success helping the Bianconeri keep a tight defence and repel every wave of attack from Thomas Tuchel's men.
Their resolute defence was breached late in the game as substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi found space past Udogie's left side to fire in a cross which Mount made no mistake from.
Sofoluwe Mayowa
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Morak FC chief backs Golden Eaglets to qualify for World Cup despite 2-0 loss to his team
- Chelsea ready to use Lukaku plus a young player as makeweight in their efforts to sign Osimhen
- Norwich mulling over move for Charlton's German-Nigerian RB after impressing in trial game v Chelsea youth
- 'Has been amazing' - Calvin Bassey lauds Marco Silva after Fulham's 10th clean sheet of the season
- U18 PL: John Terry and Cole Palmer in attendance as five Nigerians feature for Chelsea in loss to Norwich
- Awoniyi makes his first appearance in 55 days as Nottingham Forest claim huge win v Sheffield United
- U18 PL: Obi-Martin, Olusesi and Ajayi on target as Tottenham beat local rivals Arsenal
- The 7 best African soccer players of all time
- NLO1 2024: FWC FC head coach Bunmi Haruna hails fans, management for support
- FWC FC star dubbed the 'god of goals', Ugwu scores again; Flying Eagles coach keeping tabs on striker
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football