4 things we learned from Chelsea’s pre-season loss to Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Chelsea concluded their respective pre-season tours of the USA on Tuesday night, with Los Blancos running out 2-1 winners.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side, still without several key players such as Jude Bellingham and new signing Kylian Mbappe, managed to chalk up a win on the other side of the Atlantic before returning home, while the Blues were unable to improve on their record of just one victory, losing three times and drawing once on their Stateside adventure.

Strikes from Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz saw Madrid race into a two-goal lead before Noni Madueke pulled one back for Chelsea before the end of the first half.

Here’s what we learned from their meeting in Charlotte.

Watch 90min’s studio team preview Chelsea’s 2024/25 season on YouTube. If you can’t see the embed, click here.

Maresca has recognised Chelsea’s frailties / Grant Halverson/GettyImages

Vinicius and James battled again / Grant Halverson/GettyImages

Madueke was on the scoresheet / Grant Halverson/GettyImages

Madrid’s star of pre-season / PETER ZAY/GettyImages

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