Marcelo seals it for Madrid
Two goals from Marcelo and a Mariano Diaz stunner gave Los Blancos a 3-2 win over Antonio Conte's Chelsea in the International Champions Cup at the Michigan Stadium.
The Whites beat Chelsea, who were playing their fourth game, and showed signs of progression ahead of the new season, which starts on the 9th August with the UEFA Super Cup, reports Real Madrid’s official website.
The attendance in ‘the Big House’ in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the second largest stadium in the world, was 105,826, and they saw an improved second-half display from the Blues.
Conte made two changes from the starting line-up three days ago against Liverpool. One was enforced with Oscar replacing Cesc Fabregas who was serving a one-match suspension, and Pedro was given a place on the wing in place of Victor Moses, according to the match report at Chelsea’s official website.
Real Madrid were calling the shots early and their territorial advantage resulted in the 19th minute-opener. Marcelo, who was named the MVP received the ball slightly off balance on the edge of the area, eluded two players and the powerful shot with his right left Chelsea keeper Begovic absolutely helpless.
Begovic was able to keep out a firm header from Raphael Varane but he was beaten low at the near post on 26 minutes by Marcelo. The Brazilian won the ball, exchanged passes with Marco Asensio and burst between Gary Cahill and Matic.
Soon after Marcelo’s second, Begovic saved a Carlos Casimiro free-kick, conceded at the expense of yellow card by Bertrand Traore, with Pedro and Cahill following him into the book before the break, reports Chelsea’s official website.
Marcelo kept up the pressure with his incisive runs, and he was involved again in the move that ended with youth-teamer Mariano hammering in Madrid’s third. The Dominican International player received Marcelo's ball and without time to react had the crowd on their feet with a shot from 30 metres leaving Begovic with no chance in the 37 minute, says Real’s match report.
The Blues, for whom new signing N'Golo Kante and injured striker Diego Costa did not take the field, pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go through second-half substitute Hazard. The Belgian was on target when he beat substitute keeper Ruben Yanez to a Chalobah long pass and slotted it inside the near post.
Eden Hazard scored his second in stoppage time and it was a near carbon copy of his first, with Batshuayi this time provided the pass.
Real next test will arrive in the early hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning against Bayern Munich. For Chelsea, their final game of the US tour will be against AC Milan on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
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