Both Real Madrid and Chelsea have experienced rocky starts to the season
Real Madrid and Chelsea will face off on Wednesday in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.
Both teams have experienced mixed fortunes in their pre-season campaigns, making this match a crucial test before the competitive season kicks off.
Chelsea’s pre-season struggles
Chelsea's pre-season form has been underwhelming, with just one win from their four friendlies. A dismal 4-1 defeat to Celtic and a 3-0 loss to Manchester City exposed persistent defensive frailties.
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Despite a late improvement with goals from Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke in the Manchester City match, Maresca's side continues to grapple with maintaining defensive solidity.
With key players like Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson, and Axel Disasi sidelined, Chelsea’s squad remains unsettled.
However, the return of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo could offer a much-needed boost.
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Real Madrid’s mixed pre-season
Real Madrid, on the other hand, has also faced challenges. Their pre-season has seen a loss to AC Milan and a narrow defeat to Barcelona, though they secured a win against Albacete.
Key players like Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Kylian Mbappe were absent from the Clasico, but Real's attacking prowess remains formidable.
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Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick are expected to be pivotal, offering a dynamic threat to Chelsea’s defense.
The return of Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger from their injury absences adds further strength to the squad.
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Chelsea vs Real Madrid possible line-ups
Real Madrid:
Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Orkun Kökçü, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Diaz; Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius Junior
Chelsea:
Filip Jorgensen; Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell; Harvey Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling