Interview Insights from Chelsea’s Head Coach
In a recent interview, Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca expressed his feelings regarding the unusual atmosphere at the Club World Cup clash against LAFC, which Chelsea won 2-0. The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on a Monday afternoon in Atlanta, had a remarkable capacity of 71,000 but only drew a crowd of 22,137, leading to various empty sections throughout the venue, with some areas housing fewer than 100 spectators.
Attendance Concerns and Ticket Sales
Questions regarding ticket sales had loomed prior to the tournament, as attendance numbers fluctuated significantly across different matches. Despite general admission tickets being reduced to $51 on game day, the low turnout was notable, especially in a city where MLS team Atlanta United enjoys the highest average attendance in the league at nearly 47,000 fans per game this year.
Maresca’s Reflections on the Match
Reflecting on the game, Maresca remarked,
The environment was a bit strange; the stadium was almost empty, not full. We are professionals, and it’s our job to adjust to various circumstances, whether it’s playing in front of a packed crowd or in a sparsely filled stadium. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter.
Distance and Fan Turnout
Distance might also have played a role in attendance, as Atlanta is over 2,000 miles away from Los Angeles, home of LAFC. LAFC’s manager, Steve Cherundolo, commented on the situation, indicating uncertainty about the pairing of teams affecting fan turnout, suggesting that interest could vary based on location. He emphasized the quality of the tournament, proposing that a more comprehensive assessment should be made after the event concludes, rather than drawing conclusions based on a single game.
New Striker Liam Delap’s Impact
On a different note, Maresca also discussed the anticipated contributions of new striker Liam Delap, who recently joined Chelsea for around £30 million ($40.73 million) on a six-year deal from Ipswich Town. The coach acknowledged the competition for the number nine position within the team, which includes Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, and young talent Marc Guiu. Delap quickly made his mark, assisting Enzo Fernández for Chelsea’s second goal during the match. Maresca noted,
I’m eager to see how Nico responds to Delap’s arrival. He has been competing with Guiu, a very young player, throughout the season. Both are strong contenders for the role.
Current Standings
Following the match, Chelsea finds themselves in a favorable position, tied with Flamengo at the top of their group after Flamengo secured a 2-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis.
