AC Milan faced swift and critical evaluation from Italian media following a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stadion Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta, according to local reports covering the match. Played in front of tens of thousands of spectators, the friendly fixture served as a harsh wake-up call for the Rossoneri as they prepare for the upcoming competitive campaign.
The encounter saw Chelsea control the run of play from the opening whistle. Joao Pedro opened the scoring just before halftime with a strike in the second minute of stoppage time, then quickly added a second right after the restart in the 46th minute. Midfielder Moises Caicedo sealed the victory in the 50th minute with a long-range volley, capping off a dominant display by the Premier League side.
Italian Media Outlets Deliver Harsh Verdicts
Major sports publications across Italy did not hold back their assessments of the team under Ruben Amorim. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, virtually nothing went right for Milan on the night, citing an absent offensive phase and defensive frailties reminiscent of issues that plagued the club toward the end of the previous season. The publication also linked the disjointed performance to a squad that remains over-bloated and far from finalized.
Sky Sport Italia released a comprehensive player rating card following the final whistle. The broadcaster named Joao Pedro the man of the match for his decisive brace, while highlighting young goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani as Milan’s standout performer. Conversely, forward Rafael Leao drew heavy criticism for a performance that fell well below expectations. Other outlets, including Il Tempo, reported on the 3-0 scoreline with sharp disappointment, emphasizing that the squad still looks unready for elite competition.
Ruben Amorim Prepares for Roster Decisions
Speaking after the match, Ruben Amorim acknowledged the team’s shortcomings while framing the fixture as a necessary evaluation tool during the preseason calendar. “We certainly want to win, but what is also important is preparing the team and seeing the ability of all players. There are many things to improve, and that is normal,” Amorim said, as noted in post-match reports. The Portuguese manager added that the data gathered from the loss proved valuable, particularly given that several key players had yet to integrate fully with the squad.
He stated that the coming week would bring definitive choices regarding the final composition of the team before the season starts in earnest.
Contrasting Trajectories in Preseason
For Chelsea, the convincing victory marked their most polished performance yet under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, following a series of disjointed results in earlier summer friendlies. For Milan, the Jakarta trip exposed deep structural concerns regarding match intensity, attacking sharpness, and collective cohesion.
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