Juventus secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in Hong Kong courtesy of a fine individual strike from Edon Zhegrova, while Milan and Internazionale finished level at 1-1 during their friendly encounter in Perth. The results provided early pointers for the European sides as they continued their pre-season schedules in different time zones.
Juventus Edge Chelsea in Hong Kong
The Bianconeri met the Premier League outfit in Hong Kong and claimed a narrow success through Zhegrova’s solitary goal. The decisive moment arrived when the winger collected a pass from teammate Kenan Yildiz. He brought the ball under control expertly before bending his shot into the far top corner with the inside of his left boot, leaving the opposition goalkeeper with no chance.
The strike carried emotional weight for Zhegrova, who had not found the net in a competitive fixture since November 2024. Although the match carried no competitive weight, ending that lengthy drought offered the attacker a timely confidence boost. The shutout also provided a positive defensive indicator for Juventus as they kept a clean sheet against formidable opposition.
Milan and Internazionale Level in Perth
Across the Indian Ocean, an Australian edition of the Derby della Madonnina was contested in Perth as Milan faced Inter. Federico Dimarco gave the Nerazzurri the lead after the side capitalised on a defensive lapse. Pervis Estupinan misplaced a pass, sparking a swift Inter attack that Dimarco finished clinically to open the scoring.
Milan found a route back into the match through Christopher Nkunku. The forward won a penalty after drawing contact from defender Carlos Augusto inside the area. He stepped up to convert the spot-kick emphatically, ensuring the match finished with the spoils shared between the city rivals.
Both matches served as important fitness exercises for the participating squads, allowing coaching staff to evaluate player combinations and tactical systems ahead of their upcoming domestic campaigns. The travelling sides will now analyse these performances before continuing their pre-season preparations.