Maresca Comments on Sparse Crowd at Chelsea’s Match

Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, described the atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as ‘strange’ due to the low turnout during their 2-0 victory against Los Angeles FC in a FIFA Club World Cup game.

Only 22,137 spectators were present in the 71,000-seat stadium for the Monday afternoon match in the United States.

Maresca acknowledged the sparse attendance as ‘strange’ but emphasized the team’s need to adjust to the situation as professionals.

Maresca’s Statement

“I thought the environment felt somewhat odd; the stadium was nearly empty, not filled to capacity,” Maresca noted.

“As professionals, we are required to adapt to the circumstances, to the atmosphere. Adaptation is necessary whether playing in a packed stadium or one that is less full, but ultimately, it doesn’t affect our approach,” he elaborated.

Los Angeles, the home city of Major League Soccer’s LAFC, is approximately 2,000 miles (3,220 km) from Atlanta.

LAFC’s manager, Steve Cherundolo, suggested postponing such discussions until after the tournament, advocating for a comprehensive evaluation at its conclusion.

Cherundolo’s Perspective

“Each game presents a unique scenario, and I don’t believe it’s appropriate to discuss this now. A thorough summary and overall opinion should be reserved until the tournament’s end, rather than focusing on a single game in isolation,” Cherundolo stated.

Chelsea and Flamengo are currently tied at the top of Group D following the Brazilian team’s 2-0 win over Esperance de Tunis.