What's happened
Chelsea's second-string team secured a 3-1 victory against Astana in Almaty, showcasing several academy graduates. Marc Guiu scored twice, while Renato Veiga added another. Despite the freezing conditions, the young players impressed, with three debutants making their mark in the second half.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported that Chelsea's young players, including Marc Guiu and Renato Veiga, excelled in challenging conditions, with Guiu scoring twice in the first 18 minutes. The Guardian echoed this sentiment, highlighting the impressive performances of academy graduates like Josh Acheampong and Samuel Rak-Sakyi, who made their senior debuts. Both sources noted the unusual circumstances of the match, with Astana playing far from home due to stadium renovations, which added to the narrative of resilience and adaptability for both teams.
How we got here
Chelsea's head coach left most starters at home after a recent win against Tottenham. The team traveled 7,000 miles to Kazakhstan, where Astana was also displaced due to stadium renovations, creating a unique match environment.
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