Nigeria International Isaac Success played the full 90 minutes but had a poor game as Udinese suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea in a pre season friendly
Chelsea returned to winning ways after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in their last pre-season fixture before their trip to Italy.
Success started the game up front alongside Spanish forward Gerard Deulofeu as the attackers in Udinese’s 3-5-2 setup.
The game started at a frantic pace with Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri making crucial stops to deny Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount from close range in the 6th and 13th minute respectively.
France’s World Cup-winning midfielder N’golo Kante broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a lovely shot into the bottom corner via the post after dancing through a few Udinese players in a mesmerizing run.
New signing Raheem Sterling then doubled the Blues’ lead in the 37th minute via a rebound after his initial effort was saved by Silvestri.
Udinese pulled one back before the break as Gerard Deulofeu pounced on a loose ball after Edouard Mendy parried Pereyra’s initial shot.
Sterling then hit a back heel shot which was heading for goal in the 55th minute before Udogie made a crucial block to keep the score at 1-2.
Success also found space on the edge of the area a few minutes later but his shot went wide of the post.
Chelsea dominated every facet of play onwards with Udogie and Success helping the Bianconeri keep a tight defence and repel every wave of attack from Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Their resolute defence was breached late in the game as substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi found space past Udogie’s left side to fire in a cross which Mount made no mistake from.
