Chelsea manager: 'FIFA Club World Cup will soon surpass Champions League'

After a 3-0 victory over PSG to bring Chelsea to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup title, coach Enzo Maresca affirmed that this tournament is gradually becoming a top-notch playground, no less than the Champions League, and can even surpass it in terms of stature and value.

Speaking at a press conference after the match, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca had high hopes for the future of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

“I believe that this tournament will eventually be as important as, or even surpass, the Champions League,” said Maresca. “I was lucky enough to be part of the coaching staff at Manchester City who won the Champions League three years ago, but this tournament brings together the best clubs from every continent.”

According to coach Maresca, that is the reason he cherishes this title no less than the Champions League, even more: "This is a great victory. Seeing Chelsea fans wearing the shirt with the ' world champion' badge is a great pride for the whole team".

Coach Maresca also praised Cole Palmer's brilliant performance in the final. The English attacking midfielder not only scored twice but also assisted Joao Pedro to score the winning goal against the Champions League champions. That excellent performance helped Palmer to be named the best player of the tournament.

“These are the games we expect Palmer to shine in. And once again, he has shown his true class,” said coach Maresca.

The Italian coach said Chelsea had followed their tactical plan: pressing high and constantly exploiting direct passes behind PSG's defense, a strategy that was absolutely effective.

“Our idea was to play man-to-man all over the pitch. Because if you give PSG space, they will make you pay. So we were very aggressive, pressing from the start. That was especially important, especially when the conditions were really tough in the scorching heat in New Jersey,” Maresca analyzed.

He also revealed that Chelsea targeted PSG's weakness on the left flank and succeeded in exploiting this area: "We created a lot of chances from the left side of their defence. Everything went according to plan, and that was thanks to a great effort from the players."

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/hlv-chelsea-fifa-club-world-cup-se-som-vuot-qua-champions-league-post1759935.tpo