Coach Maresca criticizes FIFA Club World Cup but still dreams of winning the championship with Chelsea

TPO - Despite continuously criticizing the format, schedule and weather conditions of the FIFA Club World Cup, coach Enzo Maresca affirmed that Chelsea is still serious about the tournament and aims to win the championship.

Before the semi-final against Fluminense, coach Maresca repeatedly spoke out about the harsh heat, the dense schedule of matches and the physical wear on the players at this tournament. He also complained to FIFA for allowing a nearly two-hour interruption due to weather conditions in the round of 16 match against Benfica.

In the press conference before the semi-final, coach Maresca continued to criticize the current format and organization of the tournament, which is biased towards South American teams, who come to the tournament with fresh legs in the middle of the season. Meanwhile, European representatives like Chelsea have plowed through 63 matches in the long season.

"It's not that we're taking this tournament lightly, but the teams are coming from two completely different realities," said coach Maresca. "Brazil is in the middle of the season, and we're almost exhausted physically."

However, coach Maresca insisted Chelsea were serious about the tournament, stressing that structural changes were needed to improve.

"I see the FIFA Club World Cup as a top tournament. We are very happy to be here. We want to win the championship. But at the same time, there are many things that need to be improved, perhaps because this is the first time the tournament is organized in a new format."

The Italian tactician praised Brazil's football ahead of their third-round clash with the South American nation, which had lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the group stage and won 2-1 against Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.

"The quality of Brazilian players is probably the best at the moment," said coach Maresca. "They are not only technically superior but also physically superior. That was very clear in the last two matches."

Despite facing a very difficult match, coach Maresca still has a chance to conquer the title with Chelsea. Amidst all the complaints, can Chelsea write a happy ending at the FIFA Club World Cup?

Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ live and exclusively in Vietnam on FPT Play, with the support of Budweiser - Global Sponsor of the tournament and Samsung AI TV brand, visit http://fptplay.vn

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hlv-maresca-che-bai-fifa-club-world-cup-nhung-van-nuoi-mong-vo-dich-cung-chelsea-post1758507.tpo