Less than two years after a series of difficult days under previous coaches and a costly but complicated restructuring, Chelsea surprised the football world by winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Overcome doubt
Before the tournament began, Chelsea were not considered among the top candidates. After a trophyless 2023-2024 season and finishing outside the top 4 of the Premier League, the London team will only participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as the winner of the 2021 UEFA Champions League (according to the rules, the European champions from 2021-2024 are allowed to participate in the tournament).
Coach Enzo Maresca brings a new look and desire to win to Chelsea (Photo: FIFA)
That Champions League title is too old, not to mention that since then, Chelsea has gone through countless changes from the coaching bench to the player force. It was not until coach Enzo Maresca was appointed in the summer of 2024 that "The Blues" gradually took shape with a youthful, ambitious appearance.
After just one year in charge, coach Enzo Maresca has left a significant mark on both his playing style and his achievements. The Italian coach has built a flexible tactical system, combining modern ball control with the ability to quickly change positions. The Spanish press even jokingly commented that Maresca's secret is nothing more than forcing the players to "run more... and all run together".
Transforming his players into a unified, energetic unit, constantly applying pressure on every hot spot on the pitch, defending solidly while organizing effective attacks, coach Enzo Maresca created a solid Chelsea with key players spread across three lines. He also flexibly applied appropriate tactics for each opponent, leaving even his veteran colleague Luis Enrique of PSG unable to react in the final.
A brace from Cole Palmer and a late first-half winner from Joao Pedro helped Chelsea win their second FIFA Club World Cup title in history, after winning the previous edition in 2021. This was not just a simple victory, but a declaration of a young, brave team, ready to rise strongly on the map of European and world football.
Important turning point
Not choosing the defensive counter-attacking style that had become their trademark, Chelsea launched a preemptive attack right after the opening whistle, pressuring PSG to the point of suffocation. Not the rashness of an underdog team that did not know its own strength, Chelsea increased the pressure and scored 2 consecutive goals within 8 minutes with a top performance from the "cold-faced assassin" Cole Palmer.
The English team's high pressing, intense acceleration and long passes down the flanks suddenly became a problem for PSG. They were caught up in that terrible rhythm and then conceded a third goal at the end of the first half from Joao Pedro, almost unable to recover even though there was still the whole second half ahead.
A series of adjustments by both teams turned the second half into a battle of wits and strength, with the helplessness evident on the faces of each PSG member. The shots on goal by Kravatskhelia, Dembele, Desire Doue and Vitinha could not get past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while on the opposite side of the field, "spider-man" Donnarumma had to show his talent to save the French team many times.
Entering the tournament with a lot of doubts and worries, Chelsea increased when they were crushed 3-1 by Flamengo in the group stage. This stumble forced "The Blues" to change and people witnessed the incredible comeback of coach Maresca and his team. They overcame Benfica in a match that lasted nearly 4 hours in the round of 16, defeated 2 South American opponents Palmeiras and Fluminense on the way to the final with the bravery and tenacity of the young team.
Defeating the almost "flawless" candidate PSG 3-0 in the final, Chelsea became the first English team to win a major FIFA title under the new format. An important turning point, marking Chelsea's return to the international arena after years of struggling to rebuild under billionaires Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The championship title and more than 100 million USD in prize money open up a strong opportunity for Chelsea to reach new heights next season with a young, deep and well-planned squad, ready to aim for distant goals such as the Premier League and Champions League. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is not only a title but also a symbol of revival, belief and aspiration.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/the-luc-moi-mang-ten-chelsea-196250714201118847.htm
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