Chelsea’s confident start at the Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over LAFC leaves fans eager to see how their campaign unfolds.
At a Glance
- Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over LAFC to begin their Club World Cup campaign in Atlanta.
- The match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was marked by a significantly low attendance of just 22,137.
- Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez sealed the victory for the Premier League side.
- The new signing, Liam Delap, made an immediate impact by assisting with the second goal.
- Manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s performance but noted the “strange” atmosphere in the nearly empty stadium.
A Winning Start for Chelsea in Atlanta
Chelsea kicked off their Club World Cup journey with a decisive 2-0 win against LAFC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite a sparse crowd, the Blues remained unfazed, with standout performances from key players propelling them to victory.
As reported by Sky Sports, goals from Pedro Neto in the 34th minute and Enzo Fernandez in the 79th minute set a strong foundation for Chelsea’s campaign in the tournament. The second goal was assisted by new signing Liam Delap, who joined the club for a reported £30 million.
A Subdued and “Strange” Atmosphere
The atmosphere in the massive stadium was notably subdued. The low attendance was attributed to scheduling that favored European television audiences over local American spectators. Both managers commented on the unusual setting.
“The atmosphere and environment were a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said in his post-match comments, covered by Yahoo Sports. LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo also remarked on the contrast with other U.S. matches, noting a recent “huge crowd” for a friend at the Los Angeles Rose Bowl.
Maresca on Player Initiative and a Promising Debut
Chelsea’s focus remains steadfast despite the strange environment as they prepare for their upcoming clash with Flamengo. Manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s performance, notably the impactful debut of new signing Liam Delap. “It’s a delightful feeling for me,” Delap told The Independent. “I’m so excited to be here… and to be able to contribute is a good feeling.”
Maresca also highlighted his desire for players like Cole Palmer to be more assertive. “I had a conversation with Cole, and I said to him that I like the way he was, in terms of taking responsibility,” Maresca said in a report from ESPN. This focus on player initiative and the healthy competition for positions suggests a promising campaign for the Blues.
