YOUNG centre-back Zeno Ibsen Rossi reflected on an opportunity to play in front of the Cherries supporters and insisted “we don’t have to talk about what a good standard they are.”

The 20-year-old went away with Scott Parker’s first team squad for the Marbella training camp before making his second start of pre-season against European champions Chelsea last night.

Although Cherries were sunken by two quick-fire goals from the Blues, in response to Emiliano Marcondes’ headed opener, it was a good chance for fans to get a taste of new and perhaps unfamiliar names – and vice versa.

Streatham-born Ibsen Rossi spent last season on loan at then-Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, making 20 first-team appearances, before suffering eventual relegation at the hands of play-off opponents Dundee.

The quality eventually told when facing the top-four Premier League outfit, but Cherries put in a spirited performance and enjoyed the atmosphere of a final friendly before competitive action this weekend.

Speaking after the game, Ibsen Rossi told the Daily Echo: “It was a great experience for me personally and playing in front of a crowd as well is great - we don’t have to talk about what a good standard they are.

“It was a great feeling, I think for the whole team but especially for me as a youngster, I was out on loan last season and there wasn’t really fans so I haven’t experienced that but it was a great feeling and definitely pushed us on I’d say.

“I felt we competed. There was still a fair bit of the game (when Marcondes opened) so we were thinking we just have to keep going, but I don’t think we were overly focussed on the result.

“Obviously we try and play every game to win but I think we were just trying to get the most out of it physically, the most possible in the legs.”