Chelsea is gearing up for a crucial Club World Cup round of 16 clash against Benfica in Charlotte this Saturday, and manager Enzo Maresca is adopting a focused, game-by-game approach. The Blues secured their spot in the knockout stage with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Esperance Tunis on Tuesday, finishing as runners-up to Flamengo in Group D. This set up a meeting with Benfica, who surprisingly topped Group C, which also included Bayern Munich.
A victory against the Portuguese side would propel Chelsea into the quarter-finals, where they would face either Palmeiras or Botafogo in an all-Brazilian encounter in Philadelphia. However, Maresca is keen on keeping his team grounded, emphasizing the importance of concentrating solely on the immediate challenge.
"The next game is on Saturday and from there we'll take it game by game," Maresca stated. "I'm not thinking about the final or how long it is before the Premier League starts." This approach underscores Maresca's desire to avoid complacency and ensure his players are fully prepared for each match. "We can't think about playing in the final if we're not focused on Benfica and the rest of the games afterwards," he added. "I like to take it game by game, because I think it's the right thing to do."
Maresca has been actively rotating his squad throughout the tournament, a strategy he deems necessary due to the demanding schedule and hot conditions in the United States. "Further rotation is likely, with Maresca having said not to do so would be 'impossible'," which allows him to manage the workload and keep players fresh. However, striker Nicolas Jackson will remain suspended for the match against Benfica, as he serves the second game of his two-match ban.
This suspension could pave the way for another start for new signing Liam Delap, who has made a positive impression in the tournament thus far. Delap marked his arrival with his first goal for the club in the match against Esperance Tunis, and Maresca may look to him to lead the attack once more.
Looking ahead to the Benfica match, Maresca acknowledged the quality of the opposition. "We know Benfica are a really good side," he noted, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation and a focused mindset. Adding to the anticipation, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is set to face his former club. Fernandez, who joined Chelsea after a relatively short spell with Benfica, is finally demonstrating the form that prompted the Blues to invest heavily in him.
Fernandez played a key role in Chelsea's victory over Esperance, providing two assists. He has become a vital creative force for the team, particularly with Cole Palmer struggling to find his rhythm. Fernandez has 14 goals, with Neto at 9, Palmer and George at 8, being the top goal contributors for Chelsea this season.
The Club World Cup presents Maresca with an opportunity to continue Chelsea's tradition of winning trophies. Having already secured the UEFA Conference League title last month, he views the Club World Cup as a platform to add more silverware to the club's cabinet. He is eager to follow in the footsteps of successful Chelsea managers of the past, further solidifying his position at the club.
Chelsea's journey in the Club World Cup has been eventful thus far. After an initial victory against Los Angeles FC, they suffered a setback with a 3-1 defeat to Flamengo. However, they bounced back strongly with the win over Esperance, securing their place in the knockout stages. As they prepare to face Benfica, Maresca's emphasis on a game-by-game approach reflects his determination to navigate the challenges ahead and guide Chelsea towards further success in the competition.
