Chelsea suffer humbling pre-season defeat to Rapid Vienna in Conte’s first game

Chelsea suffer humbling pre-season defeat to Rapid Vienna in Conte’s first game

Chelsea began life under Antonio Conte with a poor performance and humbling pre-season defeat to Rapid Vienna.

The Blues had only trained for three days with Conte and it showed as they toiled against a side who had been preparing for more than a month.

Conte has his work cut out, especially in defence, where the Blues were sloppy and off the pace of their opponents, while Diego Costa spurned their best chances at the other end of the pitch.

After Asmir Begovic had palmed out a shot into a dangerous area Rapid took the lead, as they cut easily through the Chelsea defence, with striker Joelinton taking the ball around Begovic and finishing from a narrow angle.

The home team continued to press and Begovic spilled a shot which was hit straight at him, before Willian’s cross was deflected narrowly wide.

The Blues had their only real chance of the first half soon after as Willian released Costa with a through ball, but he dragged his attempt wide.

Hofmann then went close for Rapid, arriving in the box late but he volleyed just past the post.

Chelsea had chances in the second half, with Costa heading over from a chipped cross before Nathaniel Chalobah saw a long-shot palmed away.

Ola Aina hit the post with a curling shot-cum-cross but Branislav Ivanovic made sure of a wretched defeat when he sloppily gave the ball away allowing Rapid a run at goal, with Tomi finishing the move off.

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