Alonso hails 'emotional' Mudryk return in 1-0 loss to Juventus

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso hailed Mykhailo Mudryk's "emotional" return from a doping ban as the winger played for the club for the first time in nearly two years during his team's 1-0 defeat to Juventus in China's Hong Kong SAR on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian international came on as a substitute for Nicolas Jackson in the 82nd minute, drawing applause from his teammates and Blues fans in front of the 43,575 crowd at Kai Tak Stadium.

The 25-year-old had not played since November 2024 because of a doping ban, but received permission to resume his football career on Friday after the Football Association and World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved" his appeal. 

Despite a lively cameo on the left wing, he was unable to stop Juventus winning the game courtesy of a wonderful second-half strike from Kosovo international Edon Zhegrova.

"Really pleased for him. It was emotional for everyone from the club to see him back," Alonso told reporters. "He was thrilled, for sure. After such a long period, to be back on the pitch, it was a great feeling for him."

Neither side could find the breakthrough in a drab first half as two experimental line-ups struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Veteran striker Danny Welbeck, who recently joined Chelsea from Brighton, could have scored on debut for his new employers but the former England striker failed to direct a flicked header on target after 11 minutes.

Juventus came close to scoring a few minutes before half-time when midfielder Jeremie Boga took aim from just outside the penalty area and forced Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into a diving save.

Early in the second half, a long ball from Chelsea skipper Moises Caicedo put full-back Marco Palestra through on goal but his tame shot could not beat Mattia Perin in goal for Juventus.

Juve finally broke the deadlock with a moment of magic in the 68th minute with Kenan Yildiz squaring for Zhegrova who curled a stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box.

Both sides rang in changes but Chelsea lacked killer instinct in the final third. 

"I think we started pretty well. The first 30, 35 minutes, we have played with good control, we have created a few chances," Alonso said.

"And the second half, there were many changes. The game was not that controlled and stable with all the substitutions. Unluckily, we didn't get to win, but for sure, it's the process, it's minutes for everyone."

Chelsea next play Serie A club AC Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, before rounding off their pre-season with games against Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim and Spain's Real Sociedad.

Alonso's troops will start their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with an away clash against London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24.