Key Takeaways:
- Juventus secured a 1:0 victory against Chelsea at Kai Tak Stadium thanks to Edon Zhegrova’s 68th-minute goal
- Thе result marked Juventus’ third consecutive pre-season win, while Chelsea suffered their second straight defeat following the loss to Tottenham
- New Chelsea signings Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck started for the first time, and Moisés Caicedo debuted as captain
Match Overview
Juventus claimed a narrow 1:0 win over Chelsea in a friendly encounter staged at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. The fixture, which formed part of the clubs’ ongoing pre-season preparations, was decided by a moment of brilliance from Edon Zhegrova, whose stunning long-range finish in the 68th minute proved decisive. The Italian side continued their positive run of form with a third straight win, whereas Chelsea recorded a second consecutive defeat after recently falling to Tottenham.
FT | ⌛️ | An impressive win thanks to Zhegrova's second-half strike! 💪@EASPORTSFC #ChelseaJuve pic.twitter.com/6b1sUBBXvC
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) August 5, 2026
Team Selection and Notable Changes
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso handed first starts to recent arrivals Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck, with Joao Pedro completing the forward line. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez returned after missing the Tottenham clash, and Moisés Caicedo not only started for the first time in pre-season but also wore the captain’s armband. Among the substitutes, Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson, and Mykhailo Mudryk featured on the bench for the first time during the team’s pre-season tour.
Juventus, managed by Luciano Spalletti, were without new signings Randal Kolo Muani and Kerim Alajbegovic, as well as Francisco Conceição, who were all unavailable for selection. Bremer and Yildiz were named among the substitutes. Manuel Locatelli led the side as captain, and Jérémie Boga made his return to the starting eleven. Arkadiusz Milik spearheaded the attack for the Bianconeri.
First Half: Tactical Battle with Few Opportunities
The opening 45 minutes lacked clear chances, as both sides adopted a cautious approach. The first shot on target arrived in the 43rd minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez produced a vital save from Boga’s effort. Milik followed up with a shot that narrowly missed the post as the half concluded with the scoreline still goalless.
Second Half: Substitutions and the Decisive Goal
Both managers injected new energy in the second half, making four and five changes respectively at the restart. Chelsea showed greater attacking intent initially, with Pellistri spurning a one-on-one opportunity against Perin, whose save kept Juventus level. However, in the 68th minute, Juventus broke the deadlock after a swift move on the right. Zeki Çelik surged forward and squared the ball to Yildiz near the edge of the penalty area. Yildiz found Zhegrova, who fired a sensational shot from approximately 22 metres, finding the top corner and leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
Late Moments and Mudryk’s Return
In the 82nd minute, Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk made his return to the pitch, appearing for the first time in 20 months following a suspension due to a positive doping test. Despite late efforts, Chelsea could not find an equaliser, and Juventus secured the win.
