Friendly: Milan defeated 4-1 by Chelsea down to 10 on Modric debut | OneFootball

Luka Modric made his Milan debut, but Max Allegri’s side was defeated 4-1 by Chelsea when down to 10 men for over 70 minutes after an early red card.

Former Blues players Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek faced their old club, although Christian Pulisic was still nursing an ankle problem and Malick Thiaw had left to undergo a Newcastle United medical, as Max Allegri rotated after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United in Dublin. Enzo Maresca’s side showed off the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies before kick-off in this pre-season friendly.

It took under five minutes for Chelsea to break the deadlock with a clumsy own goal, as the Reece James free kick was bundled over the line off the shin of youth team player Andrei Coubis.

Moments later, Joao Pedro sprung the offside trap for a free glancing header between defenders on the Pedro Neto cross.

Alexis Saelemaekers had the first Milan chance by blasting it at the goalkeeper from a tight angle when sent through by Rafael Leao, but the day went from bad to worse for debutant Coubis, who was shown a straight red card for pulling down Joao Pedro on a long ball when he was last man.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Andrei Coubis of AC Milan is shown a red card by referee during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Cole Palmer’s free kick bent around the wall to thump the outside of the upright, then the same player volleyed over from a very promising position.

Rafael Leao had the ball in the net with a diving header, but it was ruled offside, and forced a save from a tight angle before half-time.

Mike Maignan denied Neto from point-blank range after some chaotic defending.

Modric made his Milan debut for the second half, but Youssef Fofana horribly wasted a great opportunity when sent clear by Leao.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea is put under pressure by Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Estevao received a very cheap penalty for going down under the slightest pressure at the back post, in a match with no VAR, converted by Liam Delap.

Milan did get one back eventually with Fofana at the far stick, turning in the inspired Saelemaekers dribble and through ball.

Delap completed his brace in the final minute when drilling in first-time from 13 yards on a cheeky through pass.

Chelsea 4-1 Milan

Coubis og 5 (C), Joao Pedro 8 (C), Delap pen 67, 90 (C), Saelemaekers 70 (M)

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (Malo Gusto 60), Chalobah (Acheampong 57), Tosin, Cucurella (Hato 73); Caicedo (Essugo 73), Fernandez (Andrey Santos 60); Neto (Walsh 73), Palmer (Estevao 60), Gittens (George 73); Joao Pedro (Delap 60)

Milan: Maignan; F Terracciano, Tomori, Coubis; Saelemaekers, Musah (Dutu 73), Ricci (Modric 46), Fofana, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek (Sia 85), Leao

Sent off: Coubis 19 (M)