Enzo Maresca Criticizes Chelsea’s Club World Cup Victory and Weather Disruptions

Enzo Maresca expressed strong disapproval of Chelsea’s win in the Club World Cup, describing the match as “not football,” “not normal,” and even calling the weather-related interruptions a “joke.” The Chelsea manager questioned the suitability of the United States as a host for major tournaments, especially with the storm-related suspensions experienced during the competition.

The match was halted for nearly two hours in the 86th minute due to lightning near the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. During this delay, players were left waiting with limited updates, which Maresca criticized sharply. Chelsea had been leading 1-0, but after returning to play, they conceded a controversial penalty scored by Angel Di Maria after Malo Gusto was penalized for handling the ball.

Despite the disruption, Chelsea ultimately triumphed 4-1 after extra time, following Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni receiving a second yellow card. Nonetheless, Maresca’s comments highlighted his frustration with the weather interruptions, which he sees as undermining the integrity of the game.

“For me personally, it’s not football. We’ve already had seven, eight, nine games suspended,” Maresca said. “It’s a joke, honestly. You can’t be inside. Suspending so many games indicates something is wrong with the venue or organization.” He added, “When the game is suspended, it’s not football. It’s something entirely different. The break ruins the flow, and it’s not normal.”

He elaborated on the impact of these delays, noting players’ boredom and the difficulty maintaining focus. Maresca questioned the overall suitability of the US for hosting such events, remarking that, in a true football environment like the World Cup, no games are suspended. Despite his criticisms, he expressed pride in the team’s progression in the tournament.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia, where they will compete against young star Estevao Willian. Weather disruptions have affected several other matches across the US, raising concerns about the tournament’s organization and logistics.