Full of praise
Enzo Maresca was hugely complimentary about Chelsea’s opponents in his pre-match press conference.
He said: “When we first arrived in the US, in my opening interview, I mentioned that the Club World Cup felt a bit like pre-season… but the Club World Cup is definitely not a mere preseason event.
“It’s a serious competition. We came here not just for training sessions or friendlies, but fully committed to battling for the title.
“Unfortunately for us, Flamengo, like other Brazilian teams, are more accustomed to playing in high temperatures.
“Flamengo play attractive football that’s a joy to watch.
“They have a strong squad, and their coach was an accomplished player who featured extensively in Europe—I know him well.
“To win this match, we’ll absolutely need to be at our best.“
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 19: Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea during a training session at Subaru Park on June 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
