Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has urged his players to improve their control of possession after their 2-1 pre-season defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney, Australia.
The Blues suffered a late setback at the Accor Stadium as Richarlison scored the winning goal in the closing moments to hand Tottenham victory.
Sandro Tonali had given Spurs the lead with a deflected effort from outside the box before Chelsea responded through Estevao Willian, who finished off a fine cross from Jamie Gittens.
Despite playing against 10 men for much of the second half following Kevin Danso’s red card, Chelsea failed to make their numerical advantage count. Richarlison eventually capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area after Jamie Donley struck the post to seal the win for Tottenham.
Speaking after the match, Alonso admitted he was disappointed with the result but stressed that the focus remains on preparing for the new season.
“It was an intense, competitive match, without a doubt. We aimed to win, and none of us enjoyed the loss, but it is a preparation game, it is pre-season, and we have missed several opportunities,” Alonso said.
“The first half was highly competitive and evenly matched, while the second half saw us playing with 10 men, and we came close to scoring a goal. Overall, it was a positive pre-season match, with a fantastic crowd and a vibrant atmosphere, although we unfortunately conceded a late goal that resulted in our loss.”
The Spaniard believes there is still room for improvement, particularly in Chelsea’s ability to keep possession during key periods of matches.
“Certainly, in any match, one believes there is room for improvement; this is part of the learning process, identifying areas where we can enhance our performance and recognising what we executed well,” he said.
“At this stage, it is typical for us to experience these fluctuations, but the outcome is not the primary concern; rather, it is the quality of our performance. The plan was to provide 75 minutes of play for many players, and we adhered to that plan.”
Alonso pointed to the closing stages of the first half as a period where Chelsea struggled to control the game.
“There were various moments throughout the game,” he added.
“I mentioned that the first half was quite close, with instances where we could have retained possession more effectively. Particularly in the final 10 minutes of the first half, we struggled to keep the ball, yet we did not concede any goals.
“This is part of the game; control is not always guaranteed, and it was crucial to maintain our structure and strategy during those times.
“In the second half, the situation changed dramatically with 10 men, and we came very close to scoring. However, while winning is desirable, it is not the most critical aspect at this moment. We will feel more frustration over lost points in the future, but not at this stage.”
