The final of FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup pits Chelsea against PSG on Sunday as the month-long tournament in the US proved controversial over weather and the calendar.
Two of the most powerful and wealthiest clubs in European football, the French and English sides, will battle it out to be the first champions of the expanded FIFA competition, promised to revolutionise club football and serve as a blinged-up curtain-raiser to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Road to the New Jersey Final
After a tournament full of surprises, including Manchester City and Inter Milan’s shocking exits at the hands of underdogs Al Hilal and Fluminense, respectively, the final is set for midday at a sweltering MetLife Stadium in NJ.
PSG Dominant Run to the Final
PSG has been playing brilliantly lately, winning 7 of their last 8 games without conceding a goal.
In the semi-finals, Luis Enrique’s team thrashed Real Madrid 4-0, showcasing their high-pressing, fast-paced, vertical style to devastating effect. Within nine minutes, PSG had a commanding two-goal lead thanks to two early turnovers brought on by their relentless press.
After winning their first Champions League title last month, the Parisians are now trying to win their first world championship.
By replacing departing players Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe with a young, vibrant team dedicated to his total football philosophy, Enrique has revitalised the team.
Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, two flying fullbacks, offer width and pace, while Vitinha, the midfield orchestrator, has been essential. A contender for the Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele has excelled up front, providing important assists and goals.
PSG’s defensive consistency has also been outstanding, and their high turnover rate—which averages seven per hour of play—has been crucial to their success all season long.
In one—off club finals, Enrique, who guided Barcelona to a treble a decade ago, has won 11 of 11 and never lost.
Blue’s Path to the Club World Cup Final
The longer route to the final has been chosen by Chelsea, who arrived in the US after winning the Conference League, Europe’s third division, after a poor domestic campaign in which they narrowly missed a top-four EPL finish.
After being questioned about his struggles with a squad that cost Chelsea more than 1 billion euros ($A1.77 billion) in recent years, manager Enzo Maresca has a chance to redeem himself after Chelsea has recovered in the tournament and reached the final.
Joao Pedro, a Brazilian forward who scored twice in their semifinal victory over his childhood team Fluminense, was a brilliant mid-tournament addition.
In attack, he has worked well with Cole Palmer, and Chelsea’s midfield trio of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez has been excellent at exploiting gaps and breaking up play.
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