The Premier League International Cup resumes tonight as Chelsea’s Under-21 squad gears up to face Celtic at Kingsmeadow, marking a crucial stage in the group phase. The Scottish side, Celtic, will serve as the opposition in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Watch Chelsea’s Under-21 vs. Celtic on Official Chelsea App
The kick-off is scheduled for 7 pm UK time, and viewers can catch the live action on the Official Chelsea App. The app provides an immersive experience with enhanced statistics and live event tracking powered by MVX in collaboration with Infinite Athlete.
A win in this fixture would place the Chelsea’s Under-21 within touching distance of the top two spots in the group, securing a coveted berth in the quarter-finals.
Manager Robinson acknowledges the challenge ahead, recognizing Celtic’s experience in competing at a senior level. However, he remains committed to optimizing their chances of progression, aiming for a positive outcome that sets a strong tone for the team heading into the Christmas break.
“Facing Celtic presents a different challenge than our recent matches as they compete with their ‘B’ team in a men’s league,” Robinson commented. “However, clinching a victory here would significantly bolster our prospects in this tournament. We aim to perform well, positioning ourselves favorably across various competitions as we head into the festive period.”
Reflecting on the previous match against Liverpool in the Under-21 Premier League, Robinson stresses the importance of sustaining performance levels throughout 90 minutes. Despite a promising start, Chelsea’s inability to convert opportunities resulted in conceding a lead in the second half, culminating in a defeat against Liverpool.
“Our performance in the initial phase of the game was exceptional,” Robinson reflected. “The team displayed remarkable rhythm, precision in rotation, and overall sharpness, which made us dominant on the field. However, not capitalizing on our scoring chances was a missed opportunity.”
He added, Conceding early in the second half disrupted our momentum. Although we managed to equalize through Dylan Williams, we couldn’t maintain that intensity throughout the game. We must learn from these moments and focus on sustaining our performance levels.
Robinson remains optimistic, highlighting the positives from the earlier stages of the match against Liverpool. He emphasizes the need for his team to build on those cohesive moments, particularly the period of dominance in the first half-hour.
“There were certainly positives to take away from our play, especially in the first half, where we were incredibly cohesive. We need to extend those dominant phases and capitalize on the opportunities created,” he emphasized.
As the focus shifts to the upcoming clash against Celtic, Robinson urges his players to maintain relentlessness and capitalize on their strengths.
“Our objective is clear – to replicate and extend those moments of dominance. The team needs to exhibit a relentless spirit to capitalize on opportunities and maintain control throughout the match against Celtic,” Robinson affirmed.
For viewers interested in watching the live stream of the Chelsea’s Under-21 vs. Celtic match, the Official Chelsea App offers access globally, featuring enhanced stats and event tracking by MVX in partnership with Infinite Athlete. The stream is available for a fee of £1.99.
In the previous encounter against Liverpool, Chelsea’s Under-21 lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, showcasing promising performances from various players despite the eventual defeat.
Chelsea Starting XI vs. Liverpool:
- Goalkeeper: Eddie Beach
- Defenders: Brodi Hughes, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Billy Gee, Dylan Williams
- Midfielders: Kiano Dyer, Alex Matos (substituted by Michael Golding 78′)
- Attacking Midfielders: Deivid Washington (substituted by Ishe Samuels-Smith 69′), Leo Castledine, Zain Silcott-Duberry (substituted by Tyrique George 69′)
- Forward: Jimmy-Jay Morgan (substituted by Samuel Rak-Sakyi 78′)
The solitary goal for Chelsea came from Dylan Williams in the 54th minute, while Liverpool managed to secure the win with goals from Glatzel in the 49th minute and Clark in the game’s final moments.
Both teams showcased competitive spirits, with Liverpool displaying resilience to secure the victory. The Chelsea’s Under-21 will be eager to learn from this encounter and deliver a more consistent and impactful performance against Celtic.
