Mykhailo Mudryk made his return to action for Chelsea in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Juventus in Hong Kong. The match, held on Wednesday, marked the Ukraine international’s first appearance for the club in nearly two years. Mudryk entered the game as a substitute for Nicolas Jackson in the 82nd minute, receiving applause from his teammates and a warm reception from the 43,575 fans at Kai Tak Sports Park.
The 25-year-old winger had been provisionally suspended after an adverse finding for the banned substance meldonium, and had not played a competitive match since November 2024. However, he was cleared to return to play after resolving the case with the Football Association. Despite a lively cameo on the left side of the pitch, Mudryk was unable to prevent Juventus from securing the win.
Juventus secure victory in Hong Kong
The decisive goal came in the 68th minute from Kosovo international Edon Zhegrova, who curled a strike into the top corner from outside the box after receiving a pass from Kenan Yildiz. Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti commented on the team’s performance, stating that these friendly matches reflect the progress the team is making. He noted the team’s unity throughout the match, both when under pressure and when launching counter-attacks, and highlighted the creation of excellent chances.
Spalletti praised Chelsea as a top-class side, capable of building from the back, finishing, and driving the game forward with tempo and pace. He emphasised the importance for Juventus not to back down against such an opponent. The match was the fourth friendly of Juventus’s 2026/27 pre-season schedule.
For Chelsea, manager Xabi Alonso expressed his pleasure regarding Mudryk’s return, describing it as an emotional moment for everyone at the club. Alonso noted that Mudryk was thrilled to be back on the pitch after such a long absence. He also reflected on the game, stating that Chelsea started well in the first 30 to 35 minutes with good control and a few chances. However, numerous substitutions in the second half led to a less controlled and stable game.
Danny Welbeck also made his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt during the match, though he was unable to direct a flicked header on target. Early in the second half, a long ball from Moisés Caicedo set up new signing Marco Palestra, whose shot was saved by Mattia Perin. Despite the defeat, Alonso viewed the match as part of the team’s process, providing minutes for all players. Chelsea’s next fixture is against Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, followed by pre-season games against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and Spain’s Real Sociedad.
Milan and Inter draw in Perth derby
In other friendly action, Milan and Inter played to a draw in a pre-season derby in Perth. The match, which took place on Wednesday, saw Christopher Nkunku convert a late penalty to secure the draw for Milan. This game was Milan’s first since the passing of Franco Baresi, who captained the club during a significant period in the 1980s and 1990s. A minute’s silence was observed before the match, with players from both teams linking arms in tribute.
The game, played in front of 52,310 fans in Australia, saw Serie A champions Inter take the lead through Federico Dimarco’s strike from close range in the 52nd minute. However, Carlos Augusto brought down Nkunku in the 83rd minute, leading to the penalty that levelled the contest.
Source: theguardian.com