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Chelsea's Pre-Season Opener Ends in 2-2 Draw with Wrexham Amid Defensive Errors

Posted : 25 July 2024

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged that his team "are going to concede goals this season playing out from the back" after defensive errors led to a 2-2 draw with Wrexham in his first match in charge. The game, held in Santa Clara, California, saw Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu score an 82nd-minute equalizer, cancelling out two second-half goals by the League One side.

 

Christopher Nkunku gave Chelsea an early lead with a sharp finish in the 35th minute during their opening friendly of the pre-season tour in the United States. However, after both teams made significant changes at halftime, Wrexham took a surprising lead with goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott, capitalizing on Chelsea's defensive mistakes.

 

Chelsea's second-half performance highlighted their struggles as they adapt to Maresca's possession-based approach. Despite the errors, Maresca remains committed to his style of play, stating that while building from the back carries risks, it also offers the potential to score more goals. He emphasized the importance of developing the team's identity, which has been in progress for just two weeks.

 

The match was lively from the start, with Levi Colwill and James McClean narrowly avoiding red cards after an early altercation. Reece James struck the post with a free-kick and delivered several dangerous corners, but Chelsea's lead at halftime did not hold.

 

In the second half, Ugochukwu's failure to intercept Seb Revan's cross allowed Bolton to score, and an error by Josh Acheampong enabled Marriott to give Wrexham the lead. Chelsea's equalizer came from a well-executed move involving substitutes Angelo Gabriel, Armando Broja, and Ugochukwu, who redeemed his earlier mistake with a left-footed finish.

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