Evening all!
Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from Austria as Chelsea take on
RZ Pellets WAC. The Blues were beaten in Antonio Conte's first match in charge on Saturday and this will be another tough test against a side that begin their 2016-17 league campaign on Saturday.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Worthersee Stadium. Has Conte shuffled his pack from the 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna? Let's take a look shall we!
TEAMS!RZ Pellets: Kofler; Standfest, Sollbauer, Rnic, Christian; Huttenbrenner, Offenbacher, Thomas, Wernitznig; Topcagic, Prosenik
CHELSEA: Begovic; Ivanovic, Terry, Djilobodji, Aina; Willian, Matic; Oscar, Moses, Traore; Costa
Starting with the home team, head coach Heimo Pfeifenberger has selected an attacking formation tonight, with on-loan Rapid Vienna striker Philipp Prosenik joined by Mihret Topcagic and Christopher Wernitznig in forward positions. Michael Sollbauer, who has represented RZ Pellets WAC since 2010, will skipper the hosts, while there is also a starting role for Serbian defender Nemanja Rnic.
As for Chelsea, Conte has named Diego Costa in his starting XI despite suggestions that the striker wants to leave the club this summer. Oscar, Victor Moses and Bernard Traore also start in the final third and there is an opportunity at left-back for teenager Ola Aina. John Terry once again skippers the team from centre-back, while reported Juventus target Nemanja Matic is also in the first XI.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 20 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Austria. I shall be sure to touch on the home side before 7pm, but let's start with Chelsea, who as mentioned, opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna at the weekend. A strong team took to the field in Conte's first game, but the result and indeed the performance would have disappointed the Italian, who took control of the side this summer.
The shadow of Jose Mourinho has been lifted from Stamford Bridge and there is no question that it is the start of a new era for the Blues. They put up a rotten Premier League title defence last season, finishing 10th, and a certain Roman Abramovich will be demanding improvement in the new campaign.
In terms of what is ahead for Chelsea, they will take on Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan in the International Champions Cup between July 28 and August 4 in North America, before returning to Europe to face German outfit Werder Bremen in a friendly on August 7. Eight days later, their 2016-17 Premier League campaign begins with a home game against London rivals West Ham United.
There have been two major signings at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Michy Batshuayi joining from Marseille and N'Golo Kante making the move from Leicester after a brilliant first season in English football. More new players are expected to arrive before the start of the campaign, however, as Conte looks to put together a team capable of returning to the top of English football.
As for Chelsea's opponents tonight, Wolfsberger AC, who were formed in 1931, finished sixth in the Austrian top flight last season. Having played the majority of its existence in the lower leagues, RZ Pellets WAC ended the 2011–12 season as champions of the Austrian Football First League and earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Just so there is no confusion - this team seem to have lots of names. For tonight, let's stick with RZ Pellets WAC or even RZ Pellets!
This will be the Austrian's side fourth and final friendly before opening their new season away to Rheindorf Altach on Saturday afternoon. They have beaten Mauterndorf, Rudar and Kapfenberger SV in their three pre-season matches, but lost 1-0 to Ebreichsdorf in the cup on July 15.
KICKOFF! It is the home side that kick things off in this pre-season clash...
... far from a full house inside the Worthersee Stadium, but there is a good atmosphere and the pitch is also in good condition. The result is not important tonight, but Conte will be keen to put his first victory on the board after losing to Rapid Vienna at the weekend. Early Chelsea possession.
Early danger for the home side as Willian delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Klem is on hand to turn behind under pressure from Aina. The resulting set piece is played short and eventually delivered deep by Willian, but once again the danger is cleared by a RZ Pellets head.
Worry for Chelsea here as Ivanovic takes a heavy tumble after clashing with Prosenik!
Fresh from signing a new long-term deal, Willian has been dangerous for Chelsea in the early moments, but the home side are also threatening as Klem makes ground down the left.
No real chances inside the opening eight minutes, but Chelsea are very much on the front foot here as they continue to make ground in the final third. Good tempo to this pre-season friendly in Austria.
The home side seem to have settled in the last few minutes as they start to enjoy possession in the Chelsea half and the Austrian outfit do look dangerous when they break with pace and purpose. It is a good fitness exercise for Chelsea at the moment as they look to close the space all over the park.
POST! Wonderful chance for Chelsea to take the lead as Willian set up Moses, who places one towards the bottom corner, but his effort hits the post before dropping into Kofler's hands!
CLOSE! Chance for the home side this time as Zundel strikes a loose ball from the edge of the box, but his effort fizzes just wide of the post. This game has come alive!
CHANCE! Moses sets up Traore as Chelsea come close again, but the forward fires over the crossbar from close range. What a chance to make the breakthrough!
Well, we could have had three goals in the last couple of minutes, but somehow the score remains level. The pace of the match continues to rise though as Chelsea move the ball in the final third.
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Matic attempts to meet a cross from Moses, but the midfielder's touch is too strong and Kofler is out to collect. Still goalless in this pre-season clash.
Conte is very animated on the sidelines as he barks out his orders and that brings a rise in tempo from his team, who have been a little sloppy at the back here. Indeed, a slip from Terry almost allows Prosenik to break through, but the centre-back manages to recover. Steady now John.
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Costa breaks into the box after smart work from Oscar, but the striker is just crowded out at the vital moment and the ball bounces behind for a Blues corner-kick.
I must admit that I was not sure what to expect from RZ Pellets, but they have been full of energy in the opening 25 minutes of this match. Chelsea have been the better side, but the hosts are holding their own and look threatening on the counter-attack. Still goalless with 20 minutes of this half left.
Moses remains a threat down the left for Chelsea and another dangerous cross from the Nigerian threatens to bring an opportunity for Costa, who is just struggling a touch at the moment.
Super feet from Traore as the attacker dances into the home side's box, but Standfest is across at the vital moment to clear for a corner. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Costa and Traore are just getting in each other's way at the moment, which is harming Willian and Moses when they break into central positions. Chelsea's two wingers have been their best players in the opening 32 minutes of this match, but RZ Pellets continue to hold off the threat.
Wernitznig breaks down the left for RZ Pellets and looks to deliver into the Chelsea box, but Ivanovic is across to make the challenge. Moments later, Standfest is ruled offside after another positive attack from the home side. Bit lacklustre from Chelsea in the last couple of minutes.
Half-chance for Chelsea as Papy meets a corner from Willian, but he heads straight at Kofler.
The home side force a free kick in a smart position after a clumsy challenge from Ola, but Wernitznig's curling effort is straight into the arms of Begovic, who immediately looks down-field.
BOOKING! Ivanovic (Chelsea) is booked for handball.
GOAL! RZ Pellets 0-1 Chelsea (Traore)
Chelsea make the breakthrough in the 40th minute of action as Willian delivers a super cross into the box and Traore just cannot miss from close range. Chelsea lead for the first time under Conte.
We are expecting both managers to make changes at the break and that is where the fun of trying to figure out who has been substituted comes! Let's hope that there are not too many at the interval!
SAVE! Chelsea come close once again as Costa sends one towards the bottom corner, but Kofler is on hand to make a smart save and push the ball wide of the post.
HALF-TIME: RZ Pellets 0-1 Chelsea
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Chelsea leading 1-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from Traore, who converted a low Willian cross from the right. The home side have had their moments, but Chelsea deserve to take a lead into the half-time break here.
BENCH WATCH! Chelsea boss Conte will look to hand minutes to the likes of Baba, Mikel, Kenedy, Loftus-Cheek and Atsu in the second period, while youngsters Blackman, Miazga and Hektor will also hope to feature. RZ Pellets, meanwhile, have the likes of Baldauf, Nutz and Drescher in reserve.
Bertrand Traore's goal is the difference at the end of the first period...
RESTART! Chelsea resume the action in Austria...
... CHELSEA SUB! Baba has replaced Ivanovic at the interval.
Just the single change for Chelsea, while RZ Pellets have introduced number seven Dario Baldauf. I am just trying to confirm who else has entered for the home side, so I shall bring you that information when it becomes available! For Chelsea though, Baba for Ivanovic is it at the interval.
With the home side beginning their league campaign this weekend, there should be no problems with their fitness and they are still more than in this match, despite trailing to that Traore goal.
Possession football from Chelsea as they move the ball from left to right and Moses continues to offer a threat in the final third. Moses has been impressive for the English side tonight here.
Chelsea are preparing to make more changes as the second period continues to gather pace. Just a reminder that next up for the Premier League club is a clash with Liverpool in California as part of their North American tour. They will be keen to end this mini tour of Austria with a positive result.
Good work from Trdina in a wide position as another one of the home side's substitutes chases down a through ball and manages win a corner from Aina, who has switched to right-back here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to draw level as Baldauf meets a corner at the far post, but the number seven somehow heads wide of the post. What a chance!
CHELSEA SUBS! Batshuayi, Loftus-Cheek and Hector come on for Chelsea in place of Aina, Papy and Costa. It is a debut for Batshuayi, who has gone straight into centre-forward.
CHANCE! Loftus-Cheek releases Batshuayi as the Belgian comes close to scoring within seconds of his debut, but Rnic is across to make a wonderful challenge.
RZ PELLETS SUB! Augustin replaces Sollbauer for the home side.
Little under 30 minutes remaining in Austria and both teams are committing numbers in the final third each time they have the chance to break forward. Still just the one goal in Austria tonight.
Rosenberger, who is another substitute for the home side, has been full of running in the last few minutes and is forcing Chelsea to drop a little deeper, which is creating an interesting contest.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Chelsea as Loftus-Cheek finds a super pass into Moses, who in turn finds Matic, but instead of shooting, the midfielder cuts the ball back and it drops behind!
Conte remains on the touchline barking out his orders as we enter the final 20 minutes.
CHELSEA SUB! Chalobah replaces Oscar for Chelsea.
Loftus-Cheek is almost playing as a second striker at the moment and his forward running has proved problematic for the home side, who continue to hold their own with 76 minutes played.
OFF-THE-LINE! What a chance! Batshuayi rounds Kofler and looks certain to score, but his touch is too strong and the Belgian instead sets up Moses, whose effort is blocked on the line by Augustin!
Strong defending from Terry as the Chelsea captain steps across Baldauf and manages to shield the ball behind for a goal kick. Still 1-0 Chelsea with little over 10 minutes remaining here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes here.
CHELSEA SUB! Atsu replaces Willian as Conte makes another change.
GOAL! RZ Pellets 0-2 Chelsea (Loftus-Cheek)
Chelsea have their second of the match as Loftus-Cheek heads home from a Moses corner!
CHELSEA SUB! Mikel replaces Matic for Chelsea.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Batshuayi has the ball in the back of the net for Chelsea, but the striker was offside. That would have been a special moment for the Belgian on his debut.
CHELSEA SUBS! Kenedy and Miazga replace Moses and Terry for Chelsea.
GOAL! RZ Pellets 0-3 Chelsea (Chalobah)
Super goal from Chalobah as the midfielder shows wonderful feet on the edge of the box before driving through and finishing into the bottom corner. Super goal from the Englishman.
FULL-TIME: RZ Pellets 0-3 Chelsea
So there we have it. Strong performance from Chelsea as goals from Traore, Loftus-Cheek and Chalobah secure a 3-0 win over RZ Pellets, who had their moments on the night. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again soon for more live coverage!