Enzo Maresca gives take on ‘strange’ Chelsea CWC game in ‘almost empty stadium’

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca praised his players for dealing with a “strange” environment after kicking off their Club World Cup campaign with a victory in front of almost 50,000 empty seats.

The Blues beat Los Angeles FC 2-0 in their Group D opener at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in a fixture watched by a crowd of just 22,137 on Monday afternoon as a debate over the level of interest in FIFA’s new-look competition raged on.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Maresca, said: “I think the environment was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty, not full.

“We are professional and we have to adapt to the situation, to the environment. You have to adapt when you play with a full stadium. You have to adapt when the stadium is not full, but it doesn’t matter.”

Asked about the poor attendance, opposite number Steve Cherundolo was diplomatic.

The LAFC boss said: “I think it is different each game you look at. In the Rose Bowl in LA, there was a huge crowd for the game between PSG and Atletico Madrid. Maybe LA likes football more than Atlanta? I don’t know, we should judge at the end.”

Maresca was nevertheless pleased with Chelsea’s performance, but was already looking towards Friday’s clash with Flamengo in Philadelphia.

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