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How Chelsea prepared for Saturday’s game
Thursday 18 September 2025 12:25
Chelsea face a quick turnaround before Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford, following their 3-1 Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
The Blues, who were crowned Club World Cup champions in July, were back in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
But it was a baptism of fire for Enzo Maresca’s young side – eight of the starters were tournament debutants – at the Allianz Arena, with Bayern’s experience ultimately showing through.
Maresca made four changes after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Brentford, as Cole Palmer came back into the starting line-up, alongside captain Reece James and full-backs Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto.
The Blues started brightly but the Germans found the breakthrough on 20 minutes, when Trevoh Chalobah diverted a cross into his own net.
Harry Kane tucked home a penalty after being fouled in the box by Moises Caicedo, but Palmer immediately replied with a fine finish following a one-two with Gusto.
But Bayern dominated the second half, with Kane scoring his second just after the hour mark, and the Bundesliga leaders could have stretched their lead further.
Alejandro Garnacho, who could make his return to Old Trafford on Saturday, was introduced for Pedro Neto on 68 minutes but could not help the Londoners find a way back into the game.
Palmer, on his 100th appearance for Chelsea, thought he’d scored again late on, but his effort was deemed to have been scored from an offside position, following a VAR review.
The 23-year-old, who missed the Blues’ Premier League victories over West Ham and Fulham, appeared to be clutching his groin towards the end of the game, but Maresca believes he will be fine.
“Cole, I think he’s okay,” he said. “I asked him after the game, he said that he’s okay.”
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia were not involved in Munich, and are set to miss Saturday’s game too, while Levi Colwill, Liam Delap and Dario Essugo are long-term absentees.
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Thursday 18 September 2025 12:25
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