Luis Garcia has expressed hope that Chelsea, under the guidance of new manager Xabi Alonso, will finish behind Liverpool in the Premier League. This statement comes as their paths cross again during the pre-season, albeit on opposite sides of the footballing landscape.
Chelsea are travelling to Malaysia to complete a portion of their tour. As part of this trip, the side will face Johor Darul Ta'zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, which has a capacity of 40,000. The match is scheduled for Sunday, with the home side managed by Luis Garcia as chief executive.
This encounter marks a reunion for former team-mates. Garcia and Alonso were part of the same squad for three seasons, between 2004 and 2007. Both signed for Liverpool on the same day in 2004, with Anfield serving as the setting for their first meeting.
During their time together at Liverpool, Garcia and Alonso played together in the dramatic Champions League victory against AC Milan at the end of that season. They also worked together at international level, having played together for Spain.
Garcia notes that he and Alonso remain close friends and are in constant contact. Their reunion in Malaysia provides an opportunity to reconnect after a career spent together on the pitch.
