Chelsea’s
pre-season ended in disappointing style as they were beaten 1-0 at home by
Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup.
Fielding an almost entirely different starting XI from the Community Shield
defeat to Arsenal, the Premier League champions struggled to create many
clear-cut chances at Stamford Bridge.
Loic Remy and Gary Cahill spurned Chelsea’s best opportunities after Gonzalo
Rodriguez had broken the deadlock from close range in the 34th minute.
Chelsea will now turn their attentions to their opening fixture of the
2015/16 Premier League season at home to Swansea on Saturday evening.
The Blues made 10 changes to the side beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the weekend,
with skipper John Terry the only player to keep his place, while Radamel
Falcao, Asmir Begovic, Bertrand Traore and Ola Aina made their home debuts.
Begovic was called into action early to pull off a good save from Matias
Fernandez's first-time shot from the edge of the area.
Chelsea then began to take control, Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading over and
seeing a shot blocked and Aina having an effort deflected over.
But, after Matias Vecino had thundered a shot against the bar for the
visitors and Begovic had parried a curling attempt by Khouma Babacar,
Fiorentina struck.
A cross from the right was chested down by Marcos Alonso and although his
left-foot effort was blocked at the near post by Begovic, the ball squirted
out to Rodriguez, who bundled home.
Beginning at half-time, Chelsea made nine changes in the second half, with
Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Cahill and Nemanja Matic among the first-team
stalwarts to enter the fray.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, sent on nine substitutes, including Italy striker
Giuseppe Rossi, who missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season following the
third serious knee injury of his career.
Substitute Josip Ilicic and Ante Rebic threatened for Fiorentina and
although Chelsea finished the game in the ascendancy, they could not find an
equaliser.
Cahill saw a pair of headers saved by Luigi Sepe and Remy, who replaced
Falcao on the hour, shot wastefully wide after cutting inside Alonso.
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