Ahead of the Chelsea vs AC Milan match, Ruben Amorim has revealed the reason behind the Rossoneri's trip to Indonesia.

Jakarta – AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that his side's presence in Indonesia is not purely to fulfil a pre-season tour. According to Amorim, the Rossoneri's visit to Jakarta is a form of appreciation for the enormous support that AC Milan fans across the country have continuously given the club.

AC Milan will face Chelsea in a pre-season fixture at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta on Saturday 8 August 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 19.00 WIB. This match forms part of both sides' preparations ahead of the 2026/2027 competitive football season.

"I know that the AC Milan fan community in Indonesia is one of the largest anywhere in the world. That is why we want to give back for all the support they have shown us," Amorim stated during a press conference at SUGBK on Friday 7 August 2026.

The Portuguese head coach spoke of his excitement at meeting AC Milan supporters in Indonesia face to face. He noted that the unique atmosphere that always surrounds Rossoneri fixtures will be a special experience for the entire squad.

"I know every time Milan takes the pitch, it becomes a celebration," he added.

For this reason, Amorim confirmed AC Milan will deliver their best possible performance as a mark of respect for fans attending the stadium, as well as those following the match from every region across Indonesia.

Alongside being pre-season preparation for the upcoming campaign, Amorim also expressed hope that the fixture against Chelsea will deliver positive impacts for the long-term development of Indonesian football.

He explained that sustainable football progress must be built on structured youth player development pathways, alongside properly qualified coaching at every level of the game.

"The secret is having genuine passion, and good coaches that teach football the right, proper way," Amorim concluded.

On the opposing camp, Chelsea have also travelled to Jakarta with the objective of finalising their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign under head coach Xabi Alonso.

This fixture at SUGBK is one of the final matches on The Blues' Asia-Pacific pre-season tour, following earlier friendly fixtures held in Australia and Hong Kong.

Chelsea are also looking to bounce back after recording underwhelming results in their prior pre-season matches. For Alonso, the clash against AC Milan presents a critical opportunity to evaluate his squad's progress and fine-tune the team's playing structure before the 2026/2027 Premier League season commences.

Match atmosphere is expected to be further heightened with the presence of Chelsea club legend Roberto Di Matteo, who is scheduled to attend a series of fan events in Jakarta as part of official tour partner promotional activities.

The manager who led Chelsea to the club's first ever UEFA Champions League title in 2012 will add extra anticipation to this meeting of two European giants at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.

For both AC Milan and Chelsea, this Jakarta fixture is far more than a standard exhibition match. Both clubs are utilising this pre-season tour to test full squad readiness, refine tactical systems, and strengthen connections with their millions of fans in Indonesia before the new competitive season gets underway.