Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are set to battle for the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, a format designed to closely mirror the national team World Cup. On paper, PSG appears to be the formidable favorite, especially after their dominant semi-final performance against Real Madrid, a display that echoed their overwhelming victory over Inter in the Champions League final on May 31st. Chelsea`s path to the final has been considerably smoother than the French side`s, but it would be unwise to underestimate Enzo Maresca`s team, who also clinched a European title, albeit in the less prestigious Conference League.
Luis Enrique: “The Final Step Remains”
Luis Enrique stated, “No one truly knows the opponent`s condition, but it doesn`t matter. We are on the brink of the final challenge, and our feelings are excellent. This season has been historic, and we aim to conclude it in the best possible way.” Regarding his team`s philosophy, he reiterated, “We don`t want a single star; we want eleven, fifteen players who shine together. The true star must be the group. Individual awards? I don`t believe in them. Dembélé has been the best in terms of statistics and commitment, but always serving the team.”
Maresca: “Morale is Sky-High”
Chelsea`s morale is soaring, as Enzo Maresca confirmed: “Right now, the mood in the dressing room is fantastic, absolutely top-notch. The reason is that they appreciate what they`ve accomplished during this competition and throughout the season, especially now that we`ve reached this stage. When you start with 32 teams and are fortunate enough to reach the end with just two remaining, they are proud and happy. I have a feeling we are ready to play this final on Sunday.”
Colwill: “We Are Neither Inter Nor Real”
Levi Colwill, Chelsea`s defender, issued a warning: “We are neither Inter nor Real,” referring to the heavy defeats both teams suffered against PSG. The player added, “Real is very different from us: they don`t press like us, they don`t play like us. PSG cannot expect the same game. We offer something new. We are different players.” The English defender also addressed the favoritism towards Luis Enrique`s team: “The world expects PSG to win, but we don`t see it that way. I remember when I said at the start of the tournament that we would become champions… and now we are in the final. I wasn`t lying.”
Infantino: “This World Cup Has Been a Huge Success”
Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already assessed the new-format tournament, stating: “It`s an enormous success. We have generated over two billion dollars in revenue, which equates to 31 million dollars per match. No other tournament comes close to these results. Players unhappy about participating? I don`t think that can be said… We clearly saw that the teams were happy. I respect differing opinions. We even accept them… But as president, I defend what FIFA implements.”
Match Details: Date, Time, and Venue
The final will be played on Sunday, July 13th, at 9:00 PM local time, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, USA. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Canale 5, and also streamed on Infinity.
