Xabi Alonso suffered another loss as Chelsea continue to struggle with preseason after another setback losing 1-0 to Juventus in a match which saw they dominated more of possession. The Blues preseason preparations continued with another disappointing result in Hong Kong.
It was the Chelsea’ second straight preseason loss under new manager Xabi Alonso, following their defeat to Tottenham, as the team continues to search for consistency ahead of the new campaign.
The match was played at the Kai Tak Sports Park in front of a large crowd, with both clubs using the friendly to build fitness and give several players valuable minutes.
While the result will not define the Premier League team’s season, Alonso will be concerned by his side’s lack of cutting edge in the final third. Chelsea started brightly and enjoyed more of the ball during the opening stages.
The Blues moved possession well through midfield, with Moises Caicedo helping to control the tempo. However, despite seeing plenty of the ball, they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities against a disciplined Juventus defence.
The Italian side remained patient throughout the first half and looked dangerous whenever they attacked on the counter. Their defence stayed compact, making it difficult for the London club forwards to find space inside the penalty area.
The opening 45 minutes ended without a goal, although both teams showed good intensity in what was a competitive preseason contest despite nothing changing the scoreline.
The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute of second half when Edon Zhegrova produced the game’s decisive moment. The winger collected the ball outside the box before curling a brilliant shot beyond Mike Penders to give Juventus a 1-0 lead.
It was a quality finish that left the Penders with little chance and proved to be the winning goal. After falling behind, Alonso made several substitutions in an attempt to change the game.
The Blues introduced fresh legs across the pitch, including returning winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who made his first appearance after being cleared to return to football. The substitutions added energy, but Juventus remained well organised and continued to frustrate the Premier League side.
The World Champions pushed forward during the closing stages and enjoyed long spells of possession, but genuine chances were limited. Juventus defended with discipline and protected their advantage until the final whistle.
Despite Chelsea finishing with more possession and completing more passes, they failed to make their control count in front of goal. It was a game which tested the London club as they fall short 0-1 against Juventus.
The defeat highlights areas that still need improvement under Xabi Alonso before the new season begins. His players have shown promising moments in possession throughout preseason, but converting chances into goals remains a concern.
The manager has continued to rotate his squad heavily during the summer tour, focusing on fitness, tactical understanding, and giving new signings opportunities to settle into the team.
On the other side, Juventus will be pleased with another solid preseason performance. Their defensive organisation once again stood out, while Zhegrova’s excellent goal gave the Italian club another confidence-boosting victory ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Although preseason results are rarely the main priority, the Premier League club supporters will hope to see a stronger response in the club’s upcoming friendly matches.
Back-to-back defeats are not the ideal way to prepare for a new season, but Alonso still has time to improve his team’s sharpness before competitive football returns.
The Blues now turn their attention to the remainder of their preseason schedule, as they will try gaining momentum before the Premier League season kicks off.
Meanwhile, Juventus will leave Hong Kong with another encouraging result after a disciplined display that earned them a deserved 1-0 victory over Chelsea after 90 minute of action played.
