EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Six weeks faraway from their first UEFA Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain have been the indeniable finest crew on the FIFA Membership World Cup.
Chelsea are a extra acquainted sight on the worldwide stage, and so they’ve had a robust match themselves, however they would be the underdogs once they go toe to toe with PSG within the Membership World Cup remaining on Sunday.
Driving excessive off their 5-0 Champions League remaining victory over Inter Milan, which accomplished a continental treble, PSG have torn via the Membership World Cup with 16 targets scored and just one conceded. Their knockout-stage victories over Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid got here by a mixed 10-0.
“For positive, they’re the highest crew in Europe, on this planet, most likely on this second the perfect crew on this planet,” Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca stated within the pre-match press convention. “However I feel that each sport is totally different, each sport may be totally different and we will strive our greatest to do an excellent sport.”
PSG have performed an incredible possession sport in the course of the match and lead all groups in turnovers compelled (272). Defender Achraf Hakimi has compelled a CWC-high 44, and the Parisians had been fast to transform Actual Madrid giveaways into three targets within the first 24 minutes of Wednesday’s semifinal.
If there’s any crew that may keep affected person within the face of that fashion of play, it might be Chelsea, led by the midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Fernandez leads all gamers within the Membership World Cup with three assists, and he is helped coordinate a balanced assault wherein 10 totally different gamers have scored at the very least one purpose.
“They’re up there with the perfect midfielders on this planet. I feel that might be clear on Sunday,” Chelsea captain Reece James stated of his teammates.
Caicedo is lower than one hundred pc wholesome and Maresca hopes he can play Sunday, as he took half in coaching however not totally.
Chelsea, who gained this match in 2021, made it to the ultimate by defeating Benfica 4-1, Palmeiras 2-1 and Fluminense 2-0. PSG coach Luis Enrique praised Maresca and Chelsea’s taking part in fashion at his pre-match press convention.
“That is elite competitors and in case you assume this sport is simply going to be a stroll within the park, that is since you do not actually know what Chelsea are about,” Enrique stated. “They simply gained the Convention League, they’re rising, they’ve actually good gamers, and Mr. Maresca is doing such a terrific job.”
Fabian Ruiz (three), Ousmane Dembele (two), Joao Neves (two) and Hakimi (two) have guided PSG on the scoring entrance.
–Adam Zielonka, Discipline Stage Media
