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Chelsea's Conte era starts with Vienna defeat

Chelsea started the Antonio Conte era with a disappointing 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Rapid Vienna on Saturday.

Italian Conte was chosen as the full-time successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December, with Guus Hiddink having led Chelsea to a 10th-place finish as interim boss during a disappointing Premier League title defence last season.

The former Italy boss, lacking several first-team regulars due to their participation at Euro 2016, witnessed his side make a losing start to his tenure, though, as goals in either half from Joelinton and Tomi Correa saw Rapid celebrate the opening of their new Allianz Stadion in style.

Begovic pulled off a smart stop from Stefan Nutz, but there was nothing he could do to prevent Tomi poking in from close range.