Club World Cup: Maresca’s Chelsea Ready For PSG Threat, Fernandez Laments Over US Heat

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has stressed that opponents don’t determine his game plans ahead of the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Following their 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semi-final, Chelsea will battle with European giants PSG, who knocked out Real Madrid to secure their place in the Club World Cup final.

“What worries me about Paris Saint-Germain is what worries me about any team,” Maresca told Chelsea’s official website.

“I respect every team, but the way I prepare for the match on Sunday is the same way I prepared for the match against the Brazilian teams. It doesn’t change much for me in the sense that I try to see where we can hurt them and I try to see where I can prevent them from hurting us. From there we prepare for the match.”

While tactical discipline and preparation remain Maresca’s primary concerns, for Bruno Fernandez, the challenge is the unfriendly weather conditions in the United States.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference, the Argentine midfielder lamented the hot conditions players have been subjected to during the Club World Cup.

He said, “The heat is incredible.

“The other day, I got a bit dizzy during a play and had to go down to the ground. Playing in this kind of temperature is very dangerous.”

Fernandez emphasised that the heat not only affects players’ safety but also changes the nature of the game itself.

“It slows everything down,” he added, noting that even spectators at the stadium are visibly impacted by the high temperatures.

With conditions reaching as high as 95°F (35°C), FIFA has had to implement mandatory cooling breaks midway through each half to protect players’ health.