Garcia hopes long-term friend Alonso's Chelsea finish second to Liverpool
Summary
Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso will face his longtime friend Luis Garcia’s team, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), during the final match of Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Malaysia. Garcia, who is now the chief executive of JDT, spoke about their friendship and the significance of welcoming a top European club to Malaysia.Key Facts
- Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia were teammates at Liverpool from 2004 to 2007.
- Alonso is now the manager of Chelsea, while Garcia is the chief executive of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in Malaysia.
- Chelsea’s Asian pre-season tour ends with a match against JDT at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor.
- JDT currently holds a 108-game unbeaten domestic record and reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals last season.
- JDT’s owner is the Crown Prince of Johor, who has invested in top-class stadium and training facilities.
- The club uses Spanish coaching staff and a football philosophy inspired by Spain’s long-term success in international football.
- Garcia has coaching and sporting licenses and also handles commercial and strategic planning for JDT.
- The match is expected to be a major event for Malaysian football and a big test for JDT.
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