Alonso rues defeat but backs Chelsea progress | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso admitted Chelsea were disappointed to lose to Tottenham Hotspur but insisted the result was secondary to the progress his players made during Friday’s pre-season friendly in Sydney.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at Accor Stadium after Richarlison struck a stoppage-time winner, ending Chelsea’s Australian tour on a losing note. Despite the result, Alonso was encouraged by the competitive nature of the contest and the valuable minutes accumulated by his senior players.

“It was an intense, competitive game, for sure,” Alonso said after the match.

“We wanted to win and to lose is not something we like, but it’s a pre-season game and we missed a few chances.”

Chelsea responded well after Sandro Tonali’s early opener, with Estevao Willian heading home from Jamie Gittens’ cross to level the scores. The Blues then enjoyed long spells of control, particularly after Tottenham were reduced to 10 men when Kevin Danso was sent off early in the second half.

However, Antonin Kinsky produced a series of important saves before Richarlison snatched victory for Spurs in stoppage time.

Alonso rues defeat but backs Chelsea progress

Reflecting on the performance, Alonso stressed that Chelsea’s focus remains on development rather than results during pre-season.

“In any game you think you can do better, but it is part of the process: to learn the things we can do better, the things we have done well, and the place we are now.

“The result is not the most important thing now; it’s the performance, it’s 75 minutes for many players, which was the plan and we respect that.”

The Chelsea head coach also praised the atmosphere in Sydney, where more than 80,000 supporters packed Accor Stadium for the final match of the club’s Australian tour.

“It’s been fantastic,” Alonso said.

“To have 80,000 people in this stadium, and to have a proper atmosphere and this electrifying noise, was top today.

“We are thankful for the welcome and great support we have had during this week.”

Chelsea now travel to Hong Kong to continue their pre-season preparations as Alonso looks to build momentum ahead of the new campaign.

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