Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he has no doubt his side are making progress but was left frustrated after they conceded two early goals in their 4-2 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
Erling Haaland scored goals in the fourth and fifth minutes at the Ohio Stadium and then added a third as City swept aside Chelsea in front of 70,000 fans.
Maresca asked his team to be “stronger” when they concede goals.
“We have to learn that when you concede a goal, you can't concede one and then two minutes later another,” Maresca said.
“This is something I've just told the players: we have to learn. When they score against us, we have to become stronger so we don't score another one.”
“In the first half, except for the first five minutes when we conceded two goals, the team played well. But it's a strange game because you set up the game in one way, you concede two goals and the dynamic changes.”
In addition to the defeat to City, Chelsea have drawn with Wrexham, lost to Celtic and beaten America in this pre-season. However, Maresca said he is more concerned with performances than results.
“We don't like losing games but my main objective is to see things, different things, and try to be ready for the official games at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“I have no doubt about the progress the team is making at the moment. Error is part of the process.
“I've known City for many years. Even in friendly matches they don't concede chances or have possession, but in the first half I don't remember them making six or seven passes in a row. That's a good thing.”
