Modric returns to play with Chelsea

Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk returned to play for Chelsea for the first time in nearly two years in a friendly match that his English side lost 1-0 to Italian club Juventus in Hong Kong yesterday. Mudryk came on as a substitute for Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson in the 82nd minute, receiving applause from his teammates and enthusiastic cheers from thousands of Chelsea fans at Kai Tak Stadium.

The London club’s Spanish manager, Xabi Alonso, said: “I am very happy for him. His return was an emotional moment for everyone in the club.” He added: “It was natural for him to be extremely happy. After such a long period, the feeling of returning to the pitch was wonderful for him.”

Mudryk had not played since November 2024 due to a doping-related suspension, but he received permission to resume his football career last Friday after winning his appeal. Although he looked active in the minutes he played on the left wing, Juventus emerged victorious thanks to a brilliant second-half goal scored by Kosovar international Edon Zhegrova.

Both teams failed to score in a dull first half, with both managers fielding non-starting lineups that struggled to create clear chances. Veteran striker Danny Welbeck, making his Chelsea debut, could have scored but failed to direct a header on target after 11 minutes. Early in the second half, a long ball from Chelsea captain Ecuadorian Moises Caicedo put new Italian full-back Marco Bastoni through on goal, but his weak shot could not beat goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

Finally, Juventus broke the deadlock with a touch of magic in the 68th minute, when Turkish player Kenan Yildiz passed the ball to Zhegrova, who curled a shot from outside the box into the top corner. Both teams made numerous substitutions, but the sheer number of changes did not give Chelsea the attacking effectiveness they were seeking, and the match ended without any change in the score.