Xabi Alonso made a bold call during Chelsea's 3-0 pre-season victory over AC Milan in Jakarta — and for Romeo Lavia, it could prove far more important than the final score. Rather than taking Lavia off when the midfielder began to show signs of fatigue, Alonso kept him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
The decision was designed to help the Chelsea star overcome a psychological barrier that had followed him through a frustrating run of injuries. For Lavia, this was about far more than completing a pre-season friendly. It was a personal victory after years of setbacks.
Key Highlights
- Xabi Alonso kept Romeo Lavia on for the full 90 minutes despite his visible fatigue, helping him overcome a mental barrier.
- The appearance marked only Lavia's second completed 90-minute match in three years.
- Chelsea secured a convincing 3-0 win over AC Milan, with goals from Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo.
- Chelsea face Johor Darul Ta’zim next, with Alonso confirming that significant squad rotation will be used.
Lavia’s Long Road Back
For Lavia, this was anything but an ordinary pre-season outing. The match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium marked only his second completed 90-minute appearance in more than three years. Since joining Chelsea from Southampton for £53 million in August 2023, the 22-year-old has endured a difficult spell on the sidelines.
Thigh, hamstring and quadriceps problems have limited him to just 43 appearances, while he has missed more than 80 matches for the West London club. That makes completing the full 90 minutes an important personal milestone.
Confidence Built Through Hard Work
Lavia was understandably delighted to make it through the match feeling good. “I was very happy to play the 90 minutes and I feel good,” Lavia told the club's official website.
The midfielder also credited the people around him at Chelsea for helping him reach this point. “The confidence comes from all the work with all the people at the club, who have helped me get into a good position to ensure that I could have a good pre-season.”
His teammates were equally pleased to see him reach the milestone. Wesley Fofana was among those to celebrate Lavia's achievement on social media, underlining the support surrounding his comeback.
Chelsea Make Their Mark Against AC Milan
While Lavia's return provided the emotional headline, Chelsea also produced an impressive performance on the pitch. The Blues looked sharp and cohesive as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over AC Milan. Joao Pedro struck twice, while Moises Caicedo added a stunning goal to complete a convincing Chelsea display.
The result also provided a welcome confidence boost after friendly defeats against Juventus and Tottenham. For Alonso, however, the biggest takeaway may have been seeing Lavia complete the match and continue building his fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Alonso Already Looking Ahead
There is little time for Chelsea to celebrate. The Blues face another quick turnaround, taking on Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim just 24 hours later. With the demanding pre-season schedule continuing across Australia and Asia, Alonso has confirmed that he will rotate his squad heavily.
The approach is designed to manage fatigue while giving Chelsea's younger players valuable opportunities. “Many young players will have the chance to play tomorrow,” Alonso stated.
For Lavia, though, the focus will be on carrying the confidence from Jakarta into the next stage of his comeback. After years of injuries, completing 90 minutes represents a small but significant step forward. And if Alonso's bold decision helps Lavia leave the mental barrier behind, Chelsea may have gained something even more valuable than a pre-season win.
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