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Mykhailo Mudryk returns in Chelsea defeat as Milan pay tribute to Baresi
Chelsea suffered a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, a match notable for the return of winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who came on as a substitute for the first time in nearly two years after serving a doping suspension. Manager Xabi Alonso described the moment as "emotional" for the club, with Mudryk's introduction met with applause from teammates and cheers from fans, marking a significant step in his comeback from an adverse finding for the banned substance meldonium.
Mudryk, 25, had not played competitively since November 2024 but was cleared to return after resolving his case with the Football Association; he had a lively cameo but could not prevent Juventus winning through a stunning strike from Edon Zhegrova in front of 43,575 spectators. Elsewhere, Milan and Inter drew 1-1 in Perth in their first match since the death of club great Franco Baresi, with both sides observing a minute's silence before Christopher Nkunku's late penalty cancelled out Federico Dimarco's opener.
In short
- Mudryk returns for Chelsea after doping ban, but they lose to Juventus 1-0
- Edon Zhegrova's second-half strike settles Hong Kong friendly
- Milan and Inter draw 1-1 in Perth, honouring late captain Franco Baresi
Explained simply
Mykhailo Mudryk is a Ukrainian winger who joined Chelsea in 2023. In November 2024, he stopped playing after an adverse test for meldonium, a banned substance in sport; the case was handled by the Football Association, which oversees football in England.
Chelsea are one of England’s leading clubs, while Juventus are a major Italian side. Friendly matches are exhibition games rather than part of a league or cup competition, but they give teams a chance to prepare players and assess their fitness. Mudryk’s absence meant his return carried significance for his career and for Chelsea’s options on the wing.
The match was played in Hong Kong, while Milan and Inter met in Perth. Both Italian clubs were remembering Franco Baresi, a former Milan defender and club great whose death was marked before their game.