Chelsea defeated Real Sociedad in their final pre-season match

Chelsea defeated Real Sociedad 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in their final pre-season match. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring before Jon Aramburu equalised near half-time. Joao Pedro then scored twice during the second half.

The match was Xabi Alonso’s first home game as Chelsea head coach. His starting team included Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Caicedo. Real Sociedad began with Takefusa Kubo and Carlos Soler in midfield.

Morgan Rogers scored the first goal

Chelsea moved ahead after eleven minutes through Morgan Rogers. The summer signing found space inside the penalty area and completed the attack. His finish gave the home side an early reward. Rogers started beside Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s front line. Pedro Neto and Marco Palestra provided width from deeper positions. Caicedo and James formed the central midfield pair.

Real Sociedad continued to attack after conceding the opening goal. Kubo, Soler and Luka Sucic supported Orri Oskarsson around the Chelsea area. Robert Sanchez made three saves during the match. Palmer remained behind the central striker and connected Chelsea’s attacks. Neto carried the ball from the right, while Palestra advanced from the opposite side. Their movement kept Real Sociedad‘s defenders spread across the pitch.

Aramburu levelled before the interval

Jon Aramburu equalised for Real Sociedad in the forty-fifth minute. His goal sent the teams into the interval with an even score. The visitors had stayed close despite Chelsea’s stronger possession. Chelsea held almost sixty percent of the ball across the full match. Both teams still created a similar number of attempts. Real Sociedad recorded sixteen shots, while Chelsea finished with fifteen.

The difference appeared in the quality of the final attempts.

Chelsea placed five shots on target and scored three times. Real Sociedad tested Sanchez four times and converted one chance. Remiro stopped two Chelsea attempts before the match ended. His defence also blocked four shots around the penalty area. Chelsea blocked five attempts before they could reach either goalkeeper.

Joao Pedro restored the lead

Joao Pedro scored two minutes after the second half began. The quick goal changed the match before either coach made substitutions. Chelsea regained control without a long period of pressure. The Brazilian striker remained involved while Real Sociedad searched for another equaliser. Chelsea protected the central areas and continued to move forward through both sides. Its passing accuracy stayed close to ninety percent.

Chelsea completed four hundred and fifty accurate passes from four hundred and ninety-two attempts. Real Sociedad completed two hundred and eighty-nine from three hundred and twenty-eight. Those totals explain Chelsea’s longer periods with possession. The home side also completed twenty-two accurate long passes. Real Sociedad completed twenty-seven and used that route more often. Each team still produced attacks through shorter combinations near midfield.

Both coaches changed their teams

Alonso made his first group of changes after sixty-one minutes. Mike Penders replaced Sanchez in goal. Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong and Enzo Fernandez also entered during the same period. Real Sociedad introduced Igor Zubeldia, Benat Turrientes and Mikel Oyarzabal. The visitors changed several areas without replacing their complete team. Their substitutes entered while the score remained 2-1.

Chelsea made another five changes during the final quarter.

Romeo Lavia, Jamie Gittens and Estevao joined the match. Pep Chavarria and Jorrel Hato also received playing time. The changes gave several summer signings their first Stamford Bridge minutes together. They entered around an experienced central group rather than replacing every starter. Chelsea therefore kept enough structure during the final phase.

The second goal completed Pedro’s afternoon

Joao Pedro scored again after seventy-seven minutes and made the score 3-1. His second finish gave Chelsea a two-goal advantage. Real Sociedad had little time to build another response. The visitors made three late changes but could not reduce the gap. The score remained unchanged until the final whistle. No player received a yellow or red card.

Chelsea earned four corners and Real Sociedad took two. The home defence also made ten clearances. The visitors made twenty-one while protecting their penalty area for longer periods.

Chelsea completed its summer schedule

The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 victory before the competitive season. Rogers supplied the first goal, while Pedro supplied the decisive second-half pair. Aramburu scored Real Sociedad‘s only goal. Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana formed Chelsea’s starting defence. Sanchez played behind them until Penders entered after the hour. The structure changed as substitutions increased.

Real Sociedad started with Alex Remiro in goal. Luken Beitia, Jon Martin, Sergio Gomez and Aramburu formed the back line. Yangel Herrera and Soler played behind three attacking midfielders.