In what many are already calling one of the greatest tactical masterclasses in recent history, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca led his side to a historic 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, securing a staggering £97 million in prize money.
But the headlines go beyond just the scoreline, Maresca now boldly claims the Club World Cup is poised to rival the UEFA Champions League in prestige.
“I think it will become as important as the Champions League,” said the Chelsea manager. “And we value it just as much.”
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Chelsea’s emphatic win came against a PSG side stacked with talent and managed by the formidable Luis Enrique, the reigning European champions. But Maresca’s blueprint tore them apart, in just ten minutes.
“We won the game in the first ten minutes,” Maresca declared, explaining how Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto exploited space on PSG’s left side to overwhelm their defense.
Palmer, Chelsea’s rising superstar, delivered when it mattered most, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a performance that confirmed his reputation as a big-game player.
“These are the games where we expect Cole to appear,” Maresca praised. “Big games and big moments, and once again, he showed how good he is.”
The Italian coach revealed his tactical masterplan: exploiting PSG’s vulnerability on the left wing by overloading that side with Palmer and Gusto, applying high pressing from the start, and adopting a man-to-man approach to suffocate Enrique’s passing game.
“PSG are so good if you give them time. We tried to be very aggressive and not give them any. We knew it wasn’t possible for 90 minutes, but those first 10 minutes, our idea worked.”
It wasn’t just about tactics, though. Maresca hailed the spirit and commitment of his squad, stating the team’s desire to fight was evident from the first whistle.
“We came out on the pitch to show we were here to give it our all and take the win,” he added. “I am very happy especially for the players, they deserve this moment.”
The fiery finale wasn’t without drama. A post-match confrontation between Maresca and Enrique sparked headlines, though the Chelsea boss played it down.
“After the final whistle I approached Luis to talk to him and I saw that something was going on, but I don’t know what happened really.”
This win marks Chelsea’s second major trophy of the season, and their first triumph under the revamped Club World Cup format hosted in the United States. For Maresca, it’s not just silverware, it’s a statement of intent.
With such a dominant display and a £97 million payday, Chelsea have sent a clear message: under Enzo Maresca, they are not just contenders, they are global powerhouses.
