Enzo Maresca has expressed his pride and happiness after Chelsea secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final. The Blues' coach hailed his players' adaptability and mentality following their 2-0 victory over Fluminense in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
João Pedro, making his first start for Chelsea since his recent transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion, scored both goals in the match. The 23-year-old Brazilian forward, who previously played for Fluminense, displayed respect for his former club by not celebrating his goals.
Maresca praised Pedro's quality and impact on the game. "I am very happy for Joao. He has the quality to decide games like today," Maresca said. He also acknowledged Pedro's freshness compared to other players, having just come off a holiday. Maresca further explained that Pedro was brought in specifically to help against teams that defend deep, highlighting his ability in the final third.
Chelsea's journey to the final marks a significant turnaround for the club, which finished fourth in the Premier League, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League. Maresca acknowledged the club's recent struggles, stating, "The last few years have not been what this club deserves, but this year luckily things went pretty well and now we are in the final". He added, "We are very proud to help the team be back where they deserve to be".
The match against Fluminense saw Chelsea limit their opponents to few chances while creating several opportunities themselves. Despite the sweltering conditions, Maresca praised his team's ability to adjust and maintain a high tempo in moments.
Looking ahead to the final, one concern for Chelsea is the fitness of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who suffered an ankle injury during the semi-final. Maresca expressed hope that Caicedo would recover in time for Sunday's final.
Chelsea will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in the final, guaranteeing an all-European affair. This will be Chelsea's third appearance in the Club World Cup final. They lost their first final in 2012 against Corinthians but won the title in 2021 against Palmeiras. A victory on Sunday would put them level with Bayern Munich and Corinthians as two-time winners of the competition.
Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho acknowledged Chelsea's deserved win and expressed pride in his team's performance throughout the tournament. He stated that Fluminense's run had helped restore some respect for Brazilian football.
