Chelsea bagged a 2-0 win against Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in their first match of the Club World Cup on June 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez put two goals past Los Angeles's defense to bring the victory for the Blues. Despite the win, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca highlighted what was missing in the match. He mentioned that the 'stadium was almost empty.'
Back in December last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed that the Club World Cup would add to the sport's popularity, bringing millions of fans to the United States along with the 'opportunity' for supporters back at home to watch the games 'for free on TV.'
"This competition will have two, three, four million fans coming to the US, but those who stay at home — wherever they are at home and whichever club they support — they will have the opportunity, again for the first time in history, to watch every game of their team or of any other team for free on TV," said Infantino.
However, Maresca's recent comments following Chelsea's opening match in the competition do not seem to match FIFA's expectations.
What did Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca say?
While speaking to reporters after the clash, Maresca praised (comments via The Athletic) his squad's efforts on the pitch and said,
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"It was a good match, a good performance. I think the environment was a bit strange. You know, the stadium was almost empty. Not full."
Maresca also spoke about Chelsea's next game in the competition, which is against Brazillian side Flamengo, and added,
"We prepared for this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different. But no doubt that the next one will be a nice one because we know that the Brazilian team, they always bring many, many fans. So we will try to be ready for the next one."
Chelsea will face Flamengo in the Club World Cup on June 20, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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