Chelsea Bend Barcelona at Saitama Stadium

DBasia.news –  Chelsea beat Barcelona in the preseason trial match titled Rakuten Cup at Saitama Stadium, Japan, Tuesday (23/7) night Western Indonesian Time. In that match, Antoine Griezmann played his debut match with Barcelona.

Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona lowered the 4-3-3 formation by ousting Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Alex Collado. While Chelsea’s direction Frank Lampard dropped with a modern 4-2-3-1 formation.

Barcelona, as usual, relied on possession. But, precisely because of their play and the pressure that was built by Chelsea players, the Blues were able to score goals when the time had only run 34 minutes.

Tammy Abraham, the striker who was loaned to Aston Villa last season, scored for Chelsea when Sergio Busquets made a blunder and Abraham used it well to break down the guarded Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The position lasts until halftime. Barca’s front line did not make it difficult for Chelsea’s defense guarded by Emerson, David Luiz, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, four defenders who guard Kepa Arrizabalaga.

In the second half, the two clubs made several player changes and the tempo of the game began to slow down. Understandably, given the aim of the preseason trial to increase the fitness level of players ahead of the new season.

The second goal was created when Ross Barkley scored in the 81st minute. Receiving Marcos Alonso’s pass, Barkley put the ball on the right side of the Barca goal which this time was guarded by Neto. Chelsea lead 2-1.

Before the match broke up, Barcelona scored a consolation goal in the 90+ 1 minute through Ivan Rakitic’s hard kick from outside the penalty box. Kepa can’t shake the ball that comes. The match ended and Chelsea won 2-1.