Chelsea delivered a performance that quickly overwhelmed their opponent, Paris Saint-Germain. They effectively used wide areas, surprised PSG, and scored decisive early goals, establishing a commanding lead before halftime. This high-energy, early-strike approach mirrored the style PSG themselves had used to great effect previously, particularly in their Champions League final and Club World Cup semifinal, but on this occasion, Chelsea turned it against them to win the first expanded Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
Following the match, Chelsea`s Levi Colwill commented on the team`s immediate intensity, stating they aimed to set the tone from the start. He highlighted their relentless pressing, explaining that knowing it was the final game of the season motivated the players to give their absolute maximum effort, which he felt was reflected in the final score and their victory.
This aggressive start by Chelsea quickly put pressure on PSG, who appeared fatigued and struggled to cope. Chelsea capitalized, taking a dominant 2-0 lead within thirty minutes through two goals from Cole Palmer, and extended their advantage to 3-0 before halftime courtesy of Joao Pedro. As the game wore on, PSG`s players showed signs of weariness, and frustration boiled over, leading to incidents like Joao Neves receiving a red card late in the match and a post-game altercation involving PSG`s manager Luis Enrique and Chelsea`s Joao Pedro.
Manager Enzo Maresca discussed his tactical approach after the game, explaining that he believed a high press was necessary against a talented PSG side. He felt that allowing PSG time and space on the ball would be detrimental, emphasizing the importance of preventing them from building their play.
Despite their high press, Chelsea adopted a pragmatic approach regarding possession, willingly allowing PSG to have more of the ball, finishing with only 34%. However, their attacking strategy was highly effective; they created more chances, outshooting PSG and posting a significantly higher expected goals figure (2.06 to 0.53). The intense and successful first half effectively sealed the victory, making the second half relatively controlled.
Maresca elaborated on the specific tactical plan, detailing how they targeted PSG`s midfield structure. By analyzing the roles of PSG`s three midfielders – with two marking Reece James and Moises Caicedo, and Vitinha assigned to Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea identified spaces to exploit. The plan involved using Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto on one flank to overload that area and create attacking opportunities.
Maresca reiterated the initial strategy was a man-marking high press, driven by the belief that giving PSG time on the ball would be problematic. He acknowledged that while the high intensity was executed effectively in the opening period, maintaining it for the full match was difficult, partly due to the weather conditions. Nevertheless, the team`s focus on aggression without the ball and exploiting planned spaces when in possession proved highly successful.
Cole Palmer, recognized as one of Chelsea`s key players, predictably performed well in this significant match, continuing his pattern of delivering in crucial moments. A notable positive surprise was the seamless integration and impact of Joao Pedro. Having joined the club less than two weeks prior, he quickly found his form, scoring three goals in three appearances, including earning a starting spot in the final ahead of players like Liam Delap.
Manager Maresca praised Joao Pedro`s versatility and immediate impact, calling him an “amazing player.” He highlighted Joao Pedro`s particular effectiveness against teams that defend deep with minimal space, noting his skill in tight areas makes him valuable in such scenarios.
While the overall direction for the Chelsea squad might not always have been entirely clear amidst ongoing roster changes since the club`s acquisition, the Club World Cup victory provided a compelling demonstration of the team`s potential when performing optimally. It also served as validation for the club`s faith in developing young talents. Following a demanding period, the focus shifts to a necessary rest.
Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team`s progress throughout the season, culminating in lifting a “fantastic trophy,” adding that his immediate future involves a much-needed three-week vacation after 15 continuous months of work.
