Chelsea-PSG: "I prepared for this match to win, but I didn't expect this score," says Maresca, the Blues coach.
In place for a year, the Italian technician looks back on Chelsea's victory in the Club World Cup final and the 3-0 victory against the Parisian European champions.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said on Sunday that he did not expect to beat Champions League winners PSG 3-0 in the Club World Cup final at Esat Rutherford, New Jersey. "I have enormous respect for PSG and their manager (Luis Enrique). I prepared for this match to win but I did not expect this scoreline. I knew the team we had was capable of facing such a team and we had to make the players understand that we were here to win and not to be extras, that set the tone," the Italian coach explained.
"We are world club champions and we must be proud of it, we are delighted. The players deserve this victory. We are proud to have been able to play in this competition. The objective was first to get out of the group, then step by step, we climbed the ladder. I can say that it was worth it, I have the feeling that this competition will become very important, perhaps more important than the Champions League," added Maresca, who has won a second trophy in his first season with the Blues after the Europa Conference League . Chelsea, who are coming off several difficult years in sporting terms, also finished 4th in the Premier League under the Italian and will return to the C1 in 2025-26.
Skip the adMarseca also indicated that he had seized "an opportunity" on the Parisian left flank, a sector that was lacking for PSG on Sunday and which was the source of Chelsea's three goals. Asked about Cole Palmer, the hero of the final (two goals, one assist) and voted best player of the tournament, Maresca was, however, tight-lipped. "We expected him to respond," he simply said.
Powerful images from the Club World Cup final
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