Chelsea vs AC Milan August 4, 2013
It may be preseason, but the fixtures are coming thick and fast for Europe's elite teams as they prepare for 2013-14, with Chelsea vs AC Milan battling for early-season bragging rights at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Sunday August 4, 2013.
Having been on tour in Asia already this summer, the Chelsea are back in America competing for their first piece of silverware since Jose Mourinho returned to the Chelsea football in June.
Sure, the Guinness International Champions Cup will not rank high on Mourinho's list of achievements should his team leave the U.S. victorious, but it will be a good place to start.
They overcame Chelsea vs Inter Milan on Aug. 1 with a 2-0 victory and, as they face Milanese opposition once again, a repeat performance will ensure Mourinho's new moniker the "Happy One" will continue to be rolled out for a few more weeks yet.
Chelsea football club remain undefeated in preseason, their one-sided victory over Chelsea vs BNI Indonesia All-Stars in late July the pick of the bunch thus far.
That 8-1 victory has set them up well for the weeks ahead as the team builds a head of steam, targeting the big kick-off on Aug.17.
The Serie A season will kick-off a week later this year on Aug. 25, so in theory Milan should be a week or so behind the FC Chelsea in terms of fitness and sharpness.
If so, it didn't stop them defeating Valencia 2-1 in their opening game of their U.S. tour, setting up this weekend's clash with the Blues. AC Milan vs Manchester City match was an important recent clash between two elite teams of Europe.
Key players are returning after their extended breaks from international duty also, so the Rossoneri will be looking strong ahead of Sunday.
With Juan Mata and Fernando Torres back in training with Chelsea after their busy summer with Spain, both will be looking to make an early impression on new manager Jose Mourinho.
Competition for places at Stamford Bridge is certainly heating up as the new season approaches, with Romelu Lukaku looking every bit the player we saw at West Bromwich Albion last season, while Eden Hazard and Oscar found themselves on the scoresheet against Inter Milan in their last outing.
Robinho and Nigel de Jong grabbed a goal each against Valencia as AC Milan advanced to meet Chelsea in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
AC Milan certainly have more firepower within their ranks, too, with Stephen El Shaarawy available again having competed with Italy at the Confederations Cup.
Keep an eye out for 18-year-old frontman Andrea Petagna, also. The youngster has been a regular in Italy's youth teams and has been given his fair share of game time this preseason. Can he make an impact?
The Guinness International Champions Cup has thrown up some mouth-watering prospects for preseason already and the potential outcome of this fixture is no different.
If Chelsea are successful in defeating AC Milan on Sunday and Real Madrid overcome Everton a day earlier, it will mean Jose Mourinho facing his former employers a little sooner than he may have anticipated as both clubs will fight it out in the final.
Of course, should both teams lose, the result will be the same, but they will be competing for third place instead.
 |
| Chelsea vs AC Milan International Champions Cup |
Having been on tour in Asia already this summer, the Chelsea are back in America competing for their first piece of silverware since Jose Mourinho returned to the Chelsea football in June.
Sure, the Guinness International Champions Cup will not rank high on Mourinho's list of achievements should his team leave the U.S. victorious, but it will be a good place to start.
They overcame Chelsea vs Inter Milan on Aug. 1 with a 2-0 victory and, as they face Milanese opposition once again, a repeat performance will ensure Mourinho's new moniker the "Happy One" will continue to be rolled out for a few more weeks yet.
Chelsea football club remain undefeated in preseason, their one-sided victory over Chelsea vs BNI Indonesia All-Stars in late July the pick of the bunch thus far.
That 8-1 victory has set them up well for the weeks ahead as the team builds a head of steam, targeting the big kick-off on Aug.17.
The Serie A season will kick-off a week later this year on Aug. 25, so in theory Milan should be a week or so behind the FC Chelsea in terms of fitness and sharpness.
If so, it didn't stop them defeating Valencia 2-1 in their opening game of their U.S. tour, setting up this weekend's clash with the Blues. AC Milan vs Manchester City match was an important recent clash between two elite teams of Europe.
Key players are returning after their extended breaks from international duty also, so the Rossoneri will be looking strong ahead of Sunday.
With Juan Mata and Fernando Torres back in training with Chelsea after their busy summer with Spain, both will be looking to make an early impression on new manager Jose Mourinho.
Competition for places at Stamford Bridge is certainly heating up as the new season approaches, with Romelu Lukaku looking every bit the player we saw at West Bromwich Albion last season, while Eden Hazard and Oscar found themselves on the scoresheet against Inter Milan in their last outing.
Robinho and Nigel de Jong grabbed a goal each against Valencia as AC Milan advanced to meet Chelsea in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
AC Milan certainly have more firepower within their ranks, too, with Stephen El Shaarawy available again having competed with Italy at the Confederations Cup.
Keep an eye out for 18-year-old frontman Andrea Petagna, also. The youngster has been a regular in Italy's youth teams and has been given his fair share of game time this preseason. Can he make an impact?
The Guinness International Champions Cup has thrown up some mouth-watering prospects for preseason already and the potential outcome of this fixture is no different.
If Chelsea are successful in defeating AC Milan on Sunday and Real Madrid overcome Everton a day earlier, it will mean Jose Mourinho facing his former employers a little sooner than he may have anticipated as both clubs will fight it out in the final.
Of course, should both teams lose, the result will be the same, but they will be competing for third place instead.
 |
| Chelsea vs AC Milan August 4, 2013 |
