Chelsea lost their second pre-season game in Singapore on Tuesday, as a first-half blitz from Bayern Munich tore the Blues apart.
The Blues did, however, manage to forge a way back into the game, but goals from Marcos Alonso and Michy Batshuayi weren’t enough to complete what would have been a fantastic comeback.
Chelsea started abysmally in the evening heat and with in 12 minutes, they found themselves 2-0 down following strikes from Rafinha and Thomas Muller. Without David Luiz, in the side, Chelsea’s defence looked all over the place and so it was no surprise when Muller added a third from range – as he curled the ball past Thibaut Courtois after 27 minutes.
Alonso grabbed a goal just before half-time to haul Chelsea back into the game, striking a shot across his body and past the hapless Tom Starke in the Bayern goal.
As was to be expected a wrath of changes were made at half-time, with Luiz coming on to steady the ship at the back while Alvaro Morata was also introduced midway through the second-half for his Chelsea debut. Both substitutes made an impact off the bench as Luiz struck the post from 18-yards, whilst Morata’s flick on gave Batshuayi the chance to score his fifth goal of pre-season and continue the rich vein of form he has been in since the latter stages of last season.
Below are the player ratings from today’s game:
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Could do nothing to keep out Muller’s long range strike, whilst Chelsea’s inability to close the ball down led to Rafinha opening the scoring. He was caught in no man’s land for Muller’s first goal but only as a result of Azpilicueta being beaten far too easily by Franck Ribery’s quick feet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 5
Azpilicueta was far too slow to react to Ribery in the build up to Bayern’s second goal and he was dragged all over the pitch by the Frenchman’s movement.
Andreas Christensen – 5
A huge prospect at the club and Conte should give him more time before drawing conclusions from today’s performance. His lack of experience at the highest level showed as he failed to control the backline to the same degree as Luiz does week in week out. Work is still to be done if he’s to prove his worth, but at just 21 years of age, he has plenty of time to improve.
Gary Cahill – 5
Put himself in front of everything, blocking shots left, right and centre but his commitment can not overlook the fact that he is approaching 32 years-old and as a result his pace and technique are dwindling – a superb leader but unlike Terry, Cahill can’t rely upon his ability to read situations and a suitable replacement should, therefore, be bedded into the side more frequently this season.
Victor Moses – 6
Didn’t assert himself upon the game in the first-half as Chelsea were penned in their own half for much of the match – although his cut back did unintentionally set up Alonso’s goal. But after switching to left wing-back after the break he was able to get forward more often especially as Bayern began to tire.
Cesc Fabregas – 4
Quite honestly he played awfully, as the direct runs of Muller and James Rodriguez caused havoc for the Chelsea defence due to the fact that they weren’t tracked by Fabregas. His creative flair was diminished as a result of him not picking up his runners, which meant Bayern were allowed to attack Chelsea at will and unchallenged.
N’Golo Kante – 5
He didn’t stop running which in the humidity is impressive, but ultimately he was overrun by Bayern’s midfield hence leaving them at the mercy of Chelsea’s shaky defence.
Marcos Alonso – 6
Don’t let his goal fool you into thinking that he played particularly well while he was on the field, instead he allowed Muller and Rodriguez to run inside and pepper shots at the Chelsea goal. Rafinha’s goal was due in part to Alonso not closing him down quick enough.
Willian – 6
Was ineffectual due to Bayern’s dominance in the first-half, but what the Brazilian did produce during his time on the ball was impressive and he was the focal point of Chelsea’s few ventures forward.
Michy Batshuayi – 6
Again much like Alonso, don’t be fooled by the fact that he scored a late consolation because in truth the Belgian was unwilling to make unselfish runs to create space for both himself and his teammates and as a result, he became isolated up top.
Jeremie Boga – 5
Was unable to get on the ball as much as he would have hoped and therefore made little to no impact on the game, he also failed to track back for Rafinha’s goal.
Subs:
Eduardo – 6
Didn’t concede any once he took to the pitch, not much more you can really ask of a goalkeeper.
David Luiz – 6
Restored some order to the Chelsea backline, the first-half performance showed just how much of a presence Luiz is on the side.
Fikayo Tomori – 6
Came on at right wing-back and kept the game tight during the latter stages of the game.
Alvaro Morata – 6
Grabbed himself an assist late on as he flicked the ball into the path of Batshuayi, but an otherwise mediocre first showing from the new signing – was to be expected however considering his lack of match fitness.
Mario Pasalic – N/A, couldn’t influence the game as he came on with just minutes to go
Lewis Baker – N/A, again he didn’t get enough time to show his promise, but both him and Pasalic will be hoping for more minutes against Inter Milan.
