2-0 defeat at Chelsea – Werkself fall in final pre-season friendly

Head coach Erik ten Hag made four changes to his starting line-up compared to the 3-0 home win against Pisa SC: Jarell Quansah started in defence in place of Axel Tape, while Patrik Schick began up front in place of Christian Kofane. In addition, Amine Adli and Aleix Garcia – back in the starting line-up for the first time since his return from injury – replaced the now injured Arthur and Exequiel Palacios. The hosts got off to the better start, with Marc Cucurella having the first chance in the 4th minute. Captain Moises Caicedo tried his luck from distance six minutes later, but Mark Flekken made a confident save (11').

Narrowly behind at the break

After Flekken made a good save to deny Liam Delap's close-range shot in the 18th minute, the Dutchman was beaten moments later: Cole Palmer's lob hit the crossbar and bounced in front of Estevao, who needed only to tap it in (18'). At the other end, the best chance came in the 24th minute: Alejandro Grimaldo curled a free kick over the wall, but goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen made the save. A quarter of an hour later, the same situation arose, but once again the Chelsea keeper kept his side in the game (39'). Shortly afterwards, it was half time.

With Jeremiah Mensah replacing Garcia as well as four changes made by Chelsea, the second half began with the home side once again playing an attacking game. However, the first real chance fell to the Werkself: after the Londoners lost possession, Ibrahim Maza played the ball to Schick, unmarked in the centre, but the Czech's shot was just blocked (56'). Ten Hag made a substitution shortly afterwards, bringing on Christian Kofane and Axel Tape for Maza and Piero Hincapie (60'). Chelsea also brought on three sets of fresh legs (64'). One of them, Jamie Gittens, who had joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, immediately set up a dangerous shot for Estevao. However, the ball rolled past the right-hand post (66').

Many subs, Chelsea increase lead

Overall, however, the game was largely dominated by several further substitutions, making the game somewhat disjointed. Ten Hag brought on Victor Boniface for Schick (71') and later Montrell Culbreath for Nathan Tella, Ben Hawighorst for Grimaldo (81') and Alejo Sarco for Adli. Chelsea also made changes, bringing on three new players (76'). In stoppage time, the hosts struck again: after a pass from the right into the middle, Joao Pedro finished low into the bottom left corner – making it 2-0 for Chelsea and sealing the final score of the game (90’+1).

Looking ahead: DFB Cup marks start of competitive season

The Werkself are finally approaching their first competitive match of the 2025/26 season. Next Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), Bayer 04 visit Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Cup.

Match stats:

Chelsea: Jörgensen - Gusto (64. James), Chalobah (46. Adarabioyo), Acheampong (76. Anselmino), Cucurella (46. Hato) - Estevao (76. Antwi), Santos (76. Rak-Sakyi), Caicedo (46. Eussugo), Palmer (46. Neto) - George (64. Gittens), Delap (64. Joao Pedro)

Bayer 04: Flekken - Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie (60. Tape) - Tella (81. Culbreath), Garcia (46. J. Mensah), Andrich, Grimaldo (81. Hawighorst) - Maza (60. Kofane), Adli (86. Sarco) - Schick (71. Boniface)

Goals: 1-0 Estevao (18.), 2-0 Joao Pedro (90.+1)

Yellow cards: Andrich, Quansah - Chalobah

Referee: Stuart Attwell (ENG)