A six-goal draw, a packed stadium and plenty of twists made Johor Darul Ta’zim FC’s meeting with Chelsea FC a memorable way to round off the Premier League side’s APAC pre-season tour.

More than 28,000 supporters were at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday night as JDT and Chelsea played out a 3-3 draw in the first meeting between the two clubs.

From the stands, it was an entertaining contest that kept changing direction. JDT took the lead twice, Chelsea responded twice, and the home side looked to have found a late winner before Chelsea eventually levelled again.

There was also a competitive edge to the match, with seven yellow cards shown across the 90 minutes, but the game offered plenty to look at beyond the scoreline.

Speaking after the match, JDT head coach Xisco Muñoz gave some insight into how his team had prepared for Chelsea and the tactical challenges they expected to face.

Preparing for different Chelsea shapes

One of the main points Muñoz discussed was Chelsea’s defensive setup.

The reporter asked about JDT’s use of the half-spaces, particularly against a possible back three, and Muñoz explained that his team had prepared for more than one scenario.

“It’s one of the things what we worked the last weeks,” he said.

JDT had prepared “two plans of the game” depending on whether Chelsea used a back four or back three, with the team ready to adapt once the match got underway.

For Muñoz, though, the tactical preparation was only part of the challenge.

“I think today was not only about tactics,” he said. “Also the most important, how the players introduced in the duels.”

The match certainly had its share of competitive moments, with both teams having to adjust to the pace and intensity of the contest.

Testing different defensive approaches

Muñoz also spoke about the opportunity to test JDT in situations that they may not encounter as regularly in domestic football.

In particular, he highlighted defensive transitions and the need to manage different phases of the game.

JDT moved between a low block, middle block and periods of high pressing, with Muñoz acknowledging that switching between those approaches could be difficult against a side with Chelsea’s speed.

“I have a little bit afraid,” he said, referring to moments when JDT moved from one phase to another and potentially had less control.

That, however, was also part of the value of the exercise.

Playing against a team with Chelsea’s pace and attacking options meant JDT had to react to situations that could be different from those they usually face in domestic competition.

Muñoz said he was pleased with how his players responded.

A game that kept changing

The scoreline reflected the back-and-forth nature of the match.

Arif Aiman opened the scoring for JDT before Liam Delap equalised from the penalty spot. Delap then put Chelsea ahead with another penalty, only for Óscar Arribas’ free-kick to take a deflection and bring JDT level.

Bergson restored JDT’s lead late in the game, putting the home side within sight of a memorable victory.

Chelsea, however, found a way back once again. A late own goal from Delap turned what had looked like a JDT win into a 3-3 draw.

The result meant both teams had their moments without either managing to take control of the game for long enough to secure the win.

What did Muñoz make of it?

For Muñoz, one of the biggest positives was the commitment shown by his players throughout the different phases of the match.

He repeatedly returned to the importance of work rate alongside the tactical instructions.

“You can say a lot of tactics,” he said, “but after, in the end of the day, who is working and who is running and who is fighting is the players.”

It was perhaps an appropriate summary of a match that combined tactical experimentation with the competitive edge that often comes when two teams are determined to make the most of a high-profile pre-season fixture.

The 3-3 draw brought Chelsea’s APAC tour to a memorable conclusion, while for JDT it was an opportunity to test their approach against Premier League opposition in front of their home supporters.

Neither side got the win, but with six goals, plenty of momentum swings and a lively crowd throughout the evening, there was certainly no shortage of entertainment at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

Match Video

Credits for all photos used in this post are to TEG SPORT.