Ex-Palmeiras: Estêvão scores on debut and Chelsea leads Leverkusen in friendly Por Luís Henrique Costa
7 min de leitura
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In an electrifying friendly at Stamford Bridge, London, Chelsea faces Bayer Leverkusen today, August 8, 2025, with young star Estêvão scoring the partial 1-0 victory goal in the first half. The match, marking the Blues’ return after their Club World Cup triumph, showcases Enzo Maresca’s team strength against a Leverkusen side in transition under Erik ten Hag. With 77% ball possession and intense plays, Chelsea aims to fine-tune their squad for the Premier League, while Leverkusen seeks consistency after losing key players. The game remains ongoing, promising more thrilling moments.
The match, which kicked off at 6:00 PM (UTC), pits two teams at different stages. Chelsea, fresh off their Club World Cup win, displays confidence with new signings, while Leverkusen, after losing stars like Florian Wirtz, searches for stability. The London crowd packs the stadium, eager to see debutants like Estêvão and Jamie Gittens in action.
- Key first-half highlights:
- Estêvão shines with a goal at 18 minutes, capitalizing on a rebound.
- Chelsea dominates possession with 77% against Leverkusen’s 23%.
- Four corners for Chelsea, showcasing offensive pressure.
- Leverkusen responds with solid saves by Mark Flekken.
- Yellow cards for Chalobah, Quansah, and Andrich mark tension.
Estêvão steals the spotlight on debut
At 18, Estêvão, newly arrived from Palmeiras, already proves why he’s a global football prodigy. At the 18th minute, he seized a rebound in the box after a save by Mark Flekken and finished with precision, igniting the Stamford Bridge crowd. The play began with a pass from Cole Palmer, finding the Brazilian free near the penalty area.
Estêvão’s goal wasn’t his only moment of brilliance. He created chances with quick dribbles and nearly scored again at the 22nd minute with a shot that demanded another Flekken save. His movement on the right flank, paired with sharp vision, suggests he’ll be a key player this season. The fans, thrilled, already compare him to recent club icons.
Estêvão’s performance reflects Chelsea’s investment in young talent. Under Enzo Maresca, the team blends experience with youth, aiming to replicate their recent Club World Cup success. The Brazilian’s debut, even in a friendly, signals a bright future.
Minute-by-minute: plays shaping the match
The first half was packed with intense moments, with Chelsea pressing and Leverkusen seeking counterattacks. Below are the key plays up to halftime:
- 7’ – Yellow card for Robert Andrich (Leverkusen) after a hard foul on Moisés Caicedo.
- 13’ – Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) booked for a tackle on Nathan Tella.
- 18’ – Estêvão scores! The Brazilian capitalizes on a rebound and finishes precisely: 1-0.
- 22’ – Estêvão shoots powerfully, but Flekken saves; corner for Chelsea.
- 26’ – Jarell Quansah (Leverkusen) receives a yellow for a tactical foul on Cole Palmer.
The match began with Chelsea controlling possession, while Leverkusen relied on quick transitions. Despite the Blues’ pressure, the Germans showed defensive solidity, with Flekken’s saves and Piero Hincapié’s marking standing out. Chelsea, however, was more clinical, converting 20% of their shots into a goal.
Chelsea rides high post-Club World Cup
Chelsea enters the friendly with sky-high confidence. After clinching the Club World Cup in July, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final, Enzo Maresca’s side is on a roll. Their campaign included wins over Fluminense and Benfica, cementing their squad’s strength.
The Blues bolstered their roster with signings like Jamie Gittens, Willian Estêvão, and Jorrel Hato, who may debut at Stamford Bridge today. Levi Colwill’s absence due to a cruciate ligament injury poses a challenge, but the squad’s depth mitigates the impact. Fans are eager to see how Maresca integrates the newcomers before the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17.
Chelsea’s first-half performance, with 77% possession and four shots on target, shows a well-prepared team. The connection between Cole Palmer and Estêvão, in particular, hints at a potent attack for the season.
Leverkusen in rebuild under Ten Hag
Bayer Leverkusen, led by Erik ten Hag, is in a transitional phase. After losing players like Florian Wirtz (to Liverpool), Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, and Jonathan Tah, the team is searching for a new identity. Ten Hag, formerly of Manchester United, aims to implement his style, but a 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s under-20 side in his debut sparked criticism.
In recent friendlies, Leverkusen bounced back, beating Bochum (2-0), Fortuna Sittard (2-1), and Pisa (3-0). Today’s lineup, featuring Patrik Schick, Nathan Tella, and Alejandro Grimaldo, shows potential, but a lack of cohesion is evident. In the first half, the Germans managed only 23% possession and one shot on target, highlighting struggles to impose their game.
The team relies on young players like Ibrahim Maza and new signings like Jarell Quansah, but adapting to Ten Hag’s tactics is a work in progress. The defense, led by Edmond Tapsoba and Hincapié, has been solid, but the attack lacks consistency.
Stats that tell the game’s story
First-half statistics underline Chelsea’s dominance:
- Ball possession: 77% (Chelsea) vs. 23% (Leverkusen).
- Shots on target: 4 (Chelsea) vs. 1 (Leverkusen).
- Corners: 4 (Chelsea) vs. 3 (Leverkusen).
- Saves: 2 (Chelsea) vs. 4 (Leverkusen).
- Yellow cards: 1 (Chelsea) vs. 2 (Leverkusen).
Chelsea’s 20% shot conversion rate contrasts with Leverkusen’s 0%, as the Germans failed to turn their few chances into goals. The Blues’ intensity, with 14% of total attacks compared to Leverkusen’s 11%, reflects their pressure at Stamford Bridge.
Expectations for the second half
With the match still ongoing, Chelsea is likely to maintain their pressure, leveraging their lead and home crowd support. Estêvão, who left the pitch to applause at halftime, could remain the attack’s key, while Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo dictate the midfield tempo. Substitutions like Jamie Gittens or Joao Pedro could add more dynamism.
For Leverkusen, the task is to fight back. Ten Hag may turn to substitutes like Victor Boniface or Alejo Sarco to boost the attack. The German defense, which held firm against Chelsea’s onslaught, will need to stay focused to prevent further goals. A competitive second half is expected as both teams seek adjustments.
Head-to-head history between giants
Chelsea and Leverkusen have a balanced history in official competitions. Over the past eight years, each team won one match, with Chelsea triumphing 2-0 at home in the 2011-12 Champions League and Leverkusen winning 2-1 in Germany. Today’s friendly, though less decisive, serves as a test for both clubs ahead of their domestic seasons.
Chelsea, averaging 2.35 goals per home game, faces a Leverkusen side that scores 1.79 goals away. The trend of low-scoring games (none of their recent clashes exceeded 2.5 goals) suggests a tight scoreline. Still, Chelsea’s first-half intensity indicates they’re determined to hold their lead.
Season preparation in focus
The friendly is part of Chelsea’s buildup to the Premier League, starting in nine days. Their Club World Cup victory has raised expectations, and fans hope for a title-contending team. Young stars like Estêvão and veterans like Marc Cucurella bolster confidence in Maresca’s project.
Leverkusen, 13th in the Bundesliga last season, aims to climb the table. Ten Hag’s arrival and the squad overhaul are bets to recapture their 2023-24 glory, when they dominated the German league. The friendly against Chelsea is a chance to test strategies before their DFB Cup debut against SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach on August 15.
