Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca Unfazed by North American Heat Ahead of Club World Cup Semi-Final vs Fluminense

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has dismissed concerns about the intense North American heat ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final clash against Brazilian side Fluminense, despite the sweltering mid-afternoon conditions and notable absences in his squad.

The Blues are set to play at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 3:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), with high temperatures expected to test the players physically. However, Maresca remains confident that his team is well-prepared to adapt to the conditions.

“I don’t think it’s just tomorrow’s game. Like other teams, we have already played in different conditions. The game is tomorrow at 3pm and so all we can do is adapt and try to win,” Maresca told reporters on Monday.

Chelsea will be without striker Liam Delap and defender Levi Colwill due to suspension, while midfielder Romeo Lavia remains sidelined through injury. On the positive side, Moises Caicedo returns from suspension, and forward Nicolas Jackson is available again after serving a red card ban from the match against Flamengo. New signing Joao Pedro is also pushing for a starting role.

Fluminense, winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores and captained by former Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva, will be Chelsea’s third Brazilian opponent in the tournament after they faced Flamengo and Palmeiras earlier.

“The first two were very good with lots and lots of energy. Tomorrow, no doubt, it will be exactly the same,” Maresca said.

Fluminense manager Renato Portaluppi, whose team has exceeded expectations to reach the semi-finals, described the Club World Cup as a chance to “make history,” despite the club’s financial disadvantage compared to European powerhouses.

“We are up against powerful opponents with a financial advantage, but football is decided on the pitch. Fluminense’s finances do not make 10 percent of those of the other clubs, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get to the final or even win the Club World Cup,” Portaluppi said.