In a hard-fought preseason friendly in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Chelsea lost 1-0 to Juventus despite Mykhailo Mudryk making his eagerly anticipated comeback to action.

After a protracted ban, the Ukrainian winger made his first appearance since November 2024. However, his return was disappointing as the Italian powerhouses won thanks to a spectacular goal from Edon Zhegrova in the second half.

Mudryk returns after a long absence
Mudryk was suspended after testing positive for the then-banned drug meldonium, therefore this was his first performance in almost 20 months.

The Football Association’s anti-doping investigation was just completed, making the 25-year-old ready to play again and rejoin Chelsea’s first team.

One of the primary topics of discussion during the game was his comeback, as Blues fans were excited to see the winger play again after a protracted absence.

Chelsea had periods of possession, but they were unable to generate clear-cut opportunities against Juventus.

In an otherwise closely contested match, Zhegrova’s incredible long-range shot beat the Chelsea goalkeeper to give Juventus the game-winning goal.

The performance of teenage player Geovany Quenda, who made an impression in the first half before being replaced at halftime, will also serve as motivation for new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso.

But as Chelsea continues to get ready for the upcoming Premier League season—which is now less than two weeks away—the loss revealed areas that still need work.