Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid RECAP: All the reaction as Enzo Maresca's Blues finish their US tour with another defeat

Now that pre-season is over for Chelsea, I wonder what is Enzo Maresca's strongest line-up.

He hasn't had the chance to see stars such as Cole Palmer take to the turf yet, but the majority of his squad, he has.

So, who will he pick?

This would be my starting 11, if they are all fit:

Jorgensen; Cucurella, Colwill, Fofana, James; Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer; Sterling, Nkunku, Madueke

What would you change?

Right, now that it's over, let's take a look at Chelsea's five results during their time in America:

• Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham
• Chelsea 1-4 Celtic
• Chelsea 3-0 Club America
• Chelsea 2-4 Manchester City
• Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid

Nine goals scored, 12 conceded, one win, one draw, and three losses.

Thoughts on their displays?

This is the goal that won the game for Real Madrid.

It's superb from Los Blancos. You can't see it properly, but the pass from Vinicus Jr to Brahim Diaz is sublime.

Then the touch, the run, and the finish are all fantastic from the former Manchester City man.

Any goal that includes going around the goalkeeper is automatically a great one.

Am I right?

Chelsea's defending today... my word.

They were all over the shop. In the first half they didn't know their left from right.

It's been a constant during the Blues' tour of the US this summer, there are gaping holes at the back.

The high line that Enzo Maresca has been employing just isn't proving effective.

What needs to change?

Chelsea are getting in the habit of losing.

Yes, it may only be pre-season but don't forget that the Premier League starts in just over a week.

If the Blues play anything like they did today against Manchester City on the opening day, they will get battered.

Enzo Maresca has little time to get that defence sorted, but it needs to be done pronto.

Am I being harsh? I don't think so.

And there is the whistle.

The referee puts an end to what was a rather slow second half, not much happened.

Chelsea finish their US tour with another loss, meaning they only won once in five matches.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid get their first victory of the pre-season in their last match.

Now it's nearly time to get our teeth into the proper matches.

Oh dear, Noni...

Madueke is booed by the crowd because he drifts a terrible free-kick over everybody and out for a goal kick.

The fans wanted to see an incredible set-piece, but it was quite the opposite.

But still, booing is harsh.

Both teams look like they just want to get on their flights.

I mean, I don't blame them, they have been playing a lot of football in the States, I think it's about time they came home.

Five more minutes until the game is done and they can.

Carlo Ancelotti is loving making the substitutions today.

There is a huge cheer from the stands as Luka Modric exits the action.

Lorenzo Aguado will get a few minutes in the tank.

Ding, ding, ding... more changes.

Goalscorer Brahim Diaz is making way to be replaced by Rafael Obrador.

Antonio Rudiger's race is also run as Jacobo Ramon comes on in his place.

A shot, I repeat, we have had a shot.

Not a very good one, though. Nico Paz decides to have a pop because nothing else is happening.

It doesn't trouble Filip Jorgensen one bit.

For anybody who is up at this time, are there any snacks you have on the go?

I have been eating a hell of a lot of toast tonight, caked in butter. I'm not sure why, I just have.

Sorry for the randomness of this post, but nothing is happening on the pitch. Just a lot of passing side-to-side.

The substitutions have disrupted the rhythm of this game.

And another one...

Chelsea captain Reece James now gets to rest before his flight home. Wesley Fofana is on for the final 20 minutes.

Every post might actually be a substitution post from here on.

I told you the substitutions are coming, and here they are.

Vinicus Jr and Eder Militao's evenings are at an end, they are replaced by Nico Paz and Raul Asencio.

Meanwhile, Marc Guiu is coming for Chelsea, with Kiernan Desbury-Hall coming on in his place.

That means Christopher Nkunku is now up to.

Does Mykhailo Mudryk know this isn't rugby?

The Chelsea forward does brilliantly to race past several Real Madrid players to the edge of the box from his own half.

Then comes the moment to pull the trigger, jeez. It's terrible.

Mudryk smashes the ball miles into the sky and wide, just like a kicker in rugby.

Wrong sport, Mykhailo!

Just like the pace of the action, the atmosphere has dropped too.

An hour ago the crowd were going berserk with every touch, now you can hear a pin drop.

I guess they go off what they see.

This is the time in the game when there is a bit of a lull I fear

Just after I had praised them for the speed of the game, it drops hugely...

I suspect there will be a lot of substitutions in the next few minutes.

Enzo Maresca decides to turn to the bench.

Raheem Sterling and Romeo Lavia are the unlucky pair to be hooked with just over 30 minutes to go.

Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk replace them.

Oooft, now that is close from Eder Miltao.

The defender latches onto Vincius Jr's outstanding corner and heads inches wide.

For a moment I thought that was in but Chelsea survive.

The pace of this game has been something else.

Usually by this point in pre-season, both teams get knackered in the second half. Not this time.

It's still very much end-to-end.

This doesn't seem like a friendly to me.

Lucas Vazquez has just gone bananas for a foul going against him.

I mean, he wipes out Malo Gusto from behind so I don't really know what he's moaning about.

Brahim Diaz really wants that brace...

But he is going to have to wait a bit longer for it as he fires wide from inside the area.

In truth, he should be doing a lot better from that distance.

Andriy Lunin is called into action straight away!

The Ukrainian keeper rushes off his line to smother Christopher Nkunku as he looks set to equalise.

A great bit of goalkeeping.

There is a little bit of hype music before Real Madrid get the ball rolling again.

Andriy Lunin has come on for Los Blancos at the break, replacing Thibaut Courtois.

Can Chelsea mount a comeback, or will Madrid capitalise on the Blues' poor defence again?

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Bank of America Stadium:

Chelsea’s high line has just constantly been exposed by Real Madrid here. One pass in behind and bang, they’re through. Worrying ahead of the new season as we saw how Tottenham struggled with that last term.

Ok, so now we know.

It seems the goals committee doesn't think Dani Ceballos got a touch, which makes a lot of sense.

So the goal has now been awarded to Lucas Vazquez who took the original shot.

I just don't get why Ceballos ran away with his arm in the air if he didn't actually touch it.

Speaking of Noni Madueke's goal, here it is.

It's a great header, isn't it?

The forward jumps high, gets his noggin to it, and sends the ball back towards where it came from.

Because of Madueke, Chelsea are still in this match.

Noni Madueke is really coming of age.

In my opinion, he has been one of Chelsea's standout stars in their US pre-season tour.

He has certainly been their best player today, making a nuisance of himself on the left.

Even has a goal to his name to add to the strike against Man City.

Dani Ceballos claimed the opener, but was it actually his?

I'm not sure, you know.

I you look at this angle provided by Real Madrid, it actually looks like the midfielder fails to get to it.

That would mean the goal actually goes to Lucas Vazquez. It's pre-season, though, so I'm not sure they actually care.

Whose goal do you think it is?

It turns out Chelsea needed more than a second, more than 300 seconds in fact.

The Blues head into the break behind after a very up-and-down half of football.

Enzo Maresca's men have shown their defensive frailties again, they look wide open at the back.

Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz took advantage before Noni Maduek pulled a goal back.

there is still plenty to play for.

Malo Gusto is down and looks really hurt.

He seems to have gotten whiplash from being punished really hard by Eder Militao.

The full-back is complaining of neck pain to the physios.

There will be three additional minutes before the break.

is that enough time for Chelsea to grab an equaliser before the whistle goes?

I mean, it only takes one second to score.

Oooft, that's not the Vinicus Jr we know...

He cuts inside and goes for goal but it's closer than heading out of the 74,000-seater stadium than in the net.

Miles over.

My word did Chelsea need that.

The goal just gives them that injection of confidence that would have taken a hit from the first 39 minutes.

Just as I say that, Enzo Fernandez fires just wide from the edge of the area. The Blues look so much better all of a sudden.

Can they level it before the break?

There's one back!

Chelsea finally has something to cheer about as Noni Madueke halves the deficit.

Enzo Fernandez clips a delightful ball to the back stick for `Madueke to head into the far corner. It's one hell of a leap.

I'm surprised Thibaut Courtois didn't come for that, though...

Oh, Raheem Sterling...

The winger is slid through beautifully by Malo Gusto and just has to square the ball to Christopher Nkunku to score.

The pass, though, is terrible and looks more like a shot gone wrong.

The story of their first half.

Every time I look up at the screen, Brahim Diaz has Chelsea in all sorts of bother.

This time he has four of their defenders chasing him back as he looks to break free.

Mental football.

Enzo Maresca has a lot of work to do with this defence...

Every single match I have watched them they have been so easy to bypass.

Remember, in just over a week they face Manchester City in the Premier League opener.

They look miles away from being prepared for that.

That is brilliant from Brahim Diaz.

The forward races on to a lovely outside-of-the-boot pass from Vinicus Jr before rounding Filip Jorgensen and scoring from a tight angle.

It's a brilliant goal, but Chelsea are all over the place at the back. Where are the defenders?

Fantastic finish, poor defending.

Fair play, Eder Militao!

Chelsea break really fast and Antonio Rudiger nearly clatters Christopher Nkunku, but he rides the challenge to set away Raheem Sterling.

But then Militao ushers Sterling wide after it seemed all but certain he would run through and score.

Jeez, Dani Ceballos nearly has another.

The midfielder is full of confidence and after Filip Jorgensen pushes the ball out, he has a crack from outside the box.

The ball whistles just past the post, and the crowd goes 'ooooooo'.

So did I, in truth.

Real Madrid are having a lot of fun out there.

Los Blancos are cutting through Chelsea like a knife through butter. It's seamless.

The Blues are just pinned back, and it's even worse now that they are behind.

A former Arsenal man gets the opener!

Dani Ceballos wheels away in celebration as he taps home from about one yard out.

Chelsea get opened up far too easily yet again and Lucas Vazquez pulls the trigger in the area.

It takes a massive deflection and is heading for the bottom corner, and Ceballos makes sure of it right on the line.

It had been coming.

Levi Colwill, what are you doing?

the Chelsea man has a major brain fart in his own six-yard box and for some reason doesn't clear the ball.

It falls to Brahim Diaz and you just think the net is about to ripple, but the forward sends it wide.

Colwill's blushes are spares...

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Bank of America Stadium:

We've seen some nerves on show in the defensive third on this Chelsea tour and it's the same again here, Levi Colwill nearly allowing Vinicius Junior in. Chelsea creating chances, though, Raheem Sterling seeing the best of them.

This game is really heating up.

Chelsea race up the pitch after nearly conceding and Raheem Sterling sees a good effort block on its way towards the net.

Then Vinicius Jr is sent through with the crowd roaring him before he goes down in the area after a challenge from Reece James.

He, and the crowd, scream for a penalty, but the referee shakes his head.

Right call, he got the ball.

Oh, I thought Vincius Jr had done it...

He knocks the ball past Filip Jorgensen and has the net gaping, but his touch is way too hard and he goes wide.

Chelsea get away with one there.

How has Antonio Rudiger just avoided a yellow card?

Oh wait, it's a friendly, that's why.

But still, he gets nowhere near the ball and wipes out Noni Madueke on their right-hand side.

That would be a booking every day of the week if this was a competitive match.

Chelsea are knocking the ball about well here.

The switch is constantly on over to Noni Madueke and the Blues are getting a lot of joy from it.

It might be early, but this is the best I have seen them on the ball under Enzo Maresca this summer.

It's clear that the majority of the fans in the stadium are here for Real Madrid.

Every time Los Blancos make a pass forward they go crazy, it's actually mental.

Vinicus Jr just nearly got through and I thought they had scored based on the noise.

Instead, he knocked the ball out of play under pressure by Reece James.

Raheem Sterling, you have to do better there.

This time it's Christopher Nkunku who picks home out at the back post with a lovely clipped cross.

Plain and simple, he has to get his header on target, but he doesn't. He flicks it way over the bar.

Poor effort.

A bright start from Chelsea.

The Blues are on the front foot early as they work the ball over to Noni Madueke on the right.

The winger does well to drive to the byline before picking out Raheem Sterling in the box.

Sterling tries to find space and then pulls the trigger, but his shot hits the side netting.

Rubbish effort, but a good move.

The fans really are up for this one!

Marc Guiu gets the ball rolling and there is a monster roar from the crowd the second his foot to catch the ball.

Who will be walking away with the bragging rights? Chelsea or Real Madrid?

We will find out in two hours...

Right, the teams have finally made their way out onto the turf.

The Bank of America Stadium might not be full, but my word is it noisy.

Those fans are having a whale of a time seeing these two giants take to the pitch.

In only a few minutes, the action starts.

Well, isn't this lovely.

Chelsea's former centre-back has spotted a certain man in the Blues staff and rushed over to give them a gu.

No, it's not Enzo Maresca.

It's actually Willy Caballero the former goalkeeper who once played with Rudiger.

I'm really excited to see this lad play.

There may be no Kylian Mbappe tonight, but Endrick is on the bench for Real Madrid.

After waiting 18 months or so, the Brazilian finally plays for Los Blancos.

I wonder how many minutes he will get tonight.

I'll answer my own question. Probably, yes.

In the US all matches have been delayed by eight minutes, for whatever reason.

I still struggle to get my head around it, it's very odd.

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Bank of America Stadium:

Caicedo is actually one of the substitutes – error on the original team sheet.

It's that time...

As kick-off edges closer, and closer, I think it's time we make our predictions for this match.

I still believe that it will be high scoring, despite the form of both teams.

So, I'm going for 3-2 Real Madrid.

What do you think?

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea head coach, on Monday:

This is a process. You cannot think after a month that everything is going to work in the right way. There are always good things and bad things. There have been more good things than bad things in this moment.

For sure, we don’t like to lose games, especially like we lost the last one, but in terms of progressing and improving, the team is improving and I am very happy about that.

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Bank of America Stadium:

Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku the only players to have started all five friendlies for Chelsea in US.

I mean, they have been for a while but the video has only just come out.

Look at Carlo Ancelotti, he just looks so cool as he steps off the bus. There is a reason they call him 'Don Carlo'.

Now he has one, will he get more?

Marc Guiu has gone straight back into the starting line-up this evening after missing out against Manchester City.

He scored his first goal for the club in their win against Club America, I wonder if that has given him confidence.

Once one comes, many more follow.

Ah, Chelsea are back in their home strip.

If you have been reading these blogs over the last few weeks, you will know that I'm not the biggest fan of this shirt.

But they couldn't wear white could they, so Real Madrid are in their away strip instead.

Here they are!

Chelsea have arrived for their final match in the US and by these pictures, they look like they mean business.

No smiles, just laser-focused eyes with headphones. I'm never sure if this is a good sign.

I always think they should show some signs of happiness.

Where is Simon Cowell when you need him?

Today feels like an audition for Filip Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal, it's his chance to shine.

As Kieran says, he's expected to become the main man between the posts for the Blues next season.

After Robert Sanchez's brilliant performance against Manchester City, Jorgensen won't want to put a foot wrong.

It's a big test for him.

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Bank of America Stadium:

Still no Nicolas Jackson, despite training fully with the team yesterday. No Moises Caicedo either, which is a surprise. But Real Madrid have gone strong so this will be a big challenge for Chelsea. Interesting to see Filip Jorgensen start as I suspect he will end up the club's No 1 next season.

It's a very big day for Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea's recent summer signing starts between the sticks for the very first time.

He did get a cameo against Club America, but now he gets to show what he has got for a bit longer.

Benoit Badiashile is back in, and the whole front line changes with Raheem Sterling, Marc Guiu, and Noni Madueke all returning.

Did you guess it right?

The player I was talking about was Vinicius JR, he starts on the left wing for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

See what I mean about it being very strong?

Even the bench is, they have Arda Guler and Endrick chilling there.

An insane squad.

We are just a few minutes away from giving you the team news.

We already know Real Madrid's and let me tell you, they are going very strong.

I'll give you a hint... One of the favorites for the Balon d'Or is playing.

Make of that what you will.

Well, aren't these shirt numbers snazzy?

Having an orange football strip is bright enough in my book, but tonight Real Madrid have gone the extra mile.

They will be looking cool.

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea head coach, speaking on the sale of Conor Gallagher on Monday:

This is not Chelsea's problem, these are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It's all of the Premier League clubs' problems. I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it.

It's not only us. It’s all the Premier League clubs. It's a shame because in Italy, we have (Francesco) Totti with Roma, 20 years with the same club. One-club-man. We love that in football. The fans want to see that. But with the rules now it is different than the past.

No, not Real Madrid...

When Chelsea return from the US, they may be a quad member lighter than they were when they left.

Conor Gallagher, who has been at the club since he was a boy, is set to join Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos' rivals have had a fee of around £33m accepted by the Blues to bring Gallagher to Spain.

I must admit, at the start of the window, this is not a transfer I saw coming.

No Cole Palmer, still. That's not really a surprise, though.

Other than that, there is no real news really, expect the same squad as you have seen throughout the summer.

Nicholas Jackson and Axel Disasi have spent the summer in the US with the team, but despite this, they are still not ready for action.

I suspect there will not be many changes to the line-up from their loss to Manchester City.

P.S. I know this photo would have duped you into thinking Palmer was playing... Aren't I funny!

The ring for tonight's bout is the Bank of America Stadium.

It's a monster, it can hold over 74,000 people. Well, I'd say that's pretty big, wouldn't you?

That's the reason they picked it, Real Madrid and Chelsea are two massive clubs with huge fanbases.

The stadium is situated in Charlotte, North Carolina, and hosted matches at Copa America this summer.

It's been dusted down and is ready again.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have had a fair few battles over the past few years, many of them tightly fought.

So, let's have a look at the last five:

• Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid - 2020-21
• Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid - 2021-22
• Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea - 2021-22
• Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea - 2022-23
• Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid - 2022-23

It's fair to say, Enzo Maresca has not had the best start.

The new Chelsea boss is still finding his feet in the Chelsea hot seat and likewise the players in his system.

Chelsea have been on a rollercoaster since Todd Boehly bought the club in 2022, the twists and turns keep coming.

It's hard to predict where Chelsea will finish in the Premier League next season based on this past month.

But I'm not sure it will be high up...(don't hate me Blues).

The answer is plain and simple. No.

Kylian Mbappe is still yet to play in the white of Real Madrid following his big move this summer.

After the Euros he has let his hair down, not that he has much of it, and had a holiday after a big season of footie.

So any fans wanting to see him tonight will just have to wait.

Patience is a virtue.

Just like Chelsea, Real Madrid have not been fantastic this summer.

They have played twice in the US this month and lost them both, including El Clasico.

I mean, I'm sure Carlo Ancelotti won't be that bothered, but it must hurt a little to lose to your rivals - even if it's in pre-season.

I've hyped this up to be a firecracker, but maybe with both of these team's forms, it will fail to light.

Surely, we won't get a stalemate... will we?

It's pre-season, they never happen at this time of year...

It feels like an age since Chelsea's first match in pre-season.

It was against Wrexham two weeks ago, and it was a belter. They drew 2-2 and there was even a scrap.

Overall, Chelsea have played four times in the US this summer, winning only one of those matches.

And it was against Club America...

I know pre-season doesn't mean too much, but it is always a good indication of what to expect from a team.

Enzo Maresca will want to finish in style, but it's a tough ask to beat a Real Madrid side stacked with talent.

What a way to finish pre-season in the US!

We have seen various big battles over the course of the last couple of weeks, as the biggest teams in the world hash it out as they prepare for the new season.

Have they saved the best until last? I think they may have.

Chelsea's final test of their first tour under Enzo Maresca is perhaps their toughest yet. The Blues face the European Champions, Real Madrid.

It's going to be electric, and we only have to wait two more hours until they take to the pitch in North Carolina.

Don't worry, we will give you lots of build-up within that time, so stay tuned.

Let's get this show on the road.