Celtic Dominates Chelsea 4-1 in Pre-Season Showdown

Chelsea's pre-season preparations took a hit as they were handed a 4-1 defeat by Celtic at Notre Dame University Stadium. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues struggled to adapt to his tactical approach, resulting in several defensive lapses.

Celtic took control early, with Matt O'Riley opening the scoring in the 19th minute. Kyogo Furuhashi doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. A mistake by Chelsea's Benoit Badiashile allowed Luis Palma to make it 3-0 in the 76th minute, and Mickey Johnston added a fourth just three minutes later. Christopher Nkunku's 89th-minute penalty was a mere consolation for Chelsea.

Maresca acknowledged his team's confusion with his playing style but remained optimistic about their readiness for the Premier League opener against Manchester City. Chelsea will look to bounce back in their upcoming friendly against Club America.

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his team's intensity and preparation, highlighting their 12 goals in three games against high-quality opponents as they gear up for the William Hill Premiership opener at home to Kilmarnock. Despite some fitness concerns, Rodgers expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance and readiness for the new season.