RB Salzburg 3-5 Chelsea, Friendly: Post-match reaction

Frank Lampard identified three things he wanted to work on after the weekend’s 4-3 win over Reading: set piece defending, no cheap giveaways, and more clinical finishing.

Chelsea certainly showed plenty of the latter, with Pulisic taking two first-half chances and winning a penalty for Ross Barkley to convert as well. Pedro’s outrageous backheel finish just underlined the team’s excellence in this department, and Michy even had time to find a goal.

Chelsea were distinctly less successful in the other two aims, conceding early in the second half from a corner and giving away the ball cheaply and needlessly, especially early on in both halves. Defending, in general, could use a bit more solidity, especially if we continue to insist on playing through the press.

Not much opportunity for high pressing in this game, as Salzburg controlled possession for large portions of the match. Chelsea’s fifth goal did come directly from Pedro pressing up in the 88th minute of a friendly however.

Job done. One more friendly to go.

KTBFFH.

• Starting lineup possibly Lampard’s preferred first-choice at the moment? Arrizabalaga | Emerson, David Luiz, Zouma, Azpilicueta (c) | Jorginho, Kovacic | Pulisic, Barkley, Pedro | Abraham
• Left side of that formation much more effective in playing out and going forward
• Barkley ahead of Jorginho on penalty kick duty
• 2 assists + 1 PK for Barkley, who was again outstanding
• 2 goals + 1 PK-won for Pulisic, in a preseason-best effort
• 1 goal + 1 assist for here, there, everywhere Pedro.
• Kovacic once again more useful than he ever looked last season
• Abraham with good hold-up and link-up play, but also often isolated
• Barkley & Mount together for the last 15minutes in the middle, with Pedro left & Kenedy right, alongside Michy as a lone striker. Essentially a 4-1-4-1 with Kovacic the deepest.
• Kovacic’s Achilles hopefully okay. Christensen playing emergency defensive midfield in the last 10min.
• It got a bit silly there at the end, but a win’s a win.
• Carefree