Chelsea to face AC Milan in pre-season friendly at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 8

Chelsea will meet AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 8 as the English side play their fourth preparatory match ahead of the new season.

Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, arrive on a two-match losing run after opening their pre-season with a win over Western Sydney before defeats to Tottenham and Juventus; the Blues have conceded six goals across their last three matches and Alonso will be seeking to tighten the defence while using the squad depth to assess younger players.

Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick in Chelsea’s first pre-season fixture against Western Sydney but was less influential in the defeats to Tottenham and Juventus, and the Brazilian forward will be expected to improve his contribution in the final third.

AC Milan are unbeaten in their last two pre-season matches but remain without a win under new manager Ruben Amorim; they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Nerazzurri in the Milan derby. The 28-year-old converted an important spot kick in the Milan derby and helped the Rossoneri secure a 1-1 draw; Ruben Amorim is now going to deploy him as the second striker.

Chelsea will be without Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Maxence Lacroix, Malo Gusto and Morgan Rogers due to their recent participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill — absent last time — are likely to be included in the squad for this fixture. AC Milan will miss Christian Pulisic and Mario Gila through injury, and Mike Maignan has yet to join the squad after the World Cup.

A lineup listed in advance reads: Sanchez (GK); Palestra, Colwill, Acheampong, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro Torriani; Terracciano, Gabbia, Tomori; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Estupinan; Chukwueze, Nkunku; Ramos.

Neither club will head into the match with full confidence; the preview suggests Chelsea’s deeper squad could be an advantage while Milan will aim to exploit the Blues’ defensive vulnerabilities, with the assessment that Chelsea are likely to secure a win in the friendly.

The contest will take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 8.