Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca shrugged off issues about enjoying in sizzling and humid mid-afternoon situations in Tuesday’s Membership World Cup semi-final towards Brazilian facet Fluminense, for which the Blues might be with out each Liam Delap and Levi Colwill.
The warmth of the North American summer time has made for difficult situations for a lot of video games through the match, whereas a number of matches have additionally confronted lengthy interruptions as a result of storm warnings.
Chelsea and Fluminense will conflict on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, simply outdoors New York Metropolis, at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, and the warmth might have a critical influence on the spectacle.
Actual Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund at an analogous time in the identical stadium within the quarter-finals, and the tempo of the sport suffered because of the temperatures.
“I do not suppose it is simply tomorrow’s recreation. Like different groups we’ve already performed in numerous situations however the recreation is tomorrow at 3pm and so all we will do is adapt and attempt to win,” Maresca instructed reporters on Monday.
Chelsea can welcome again midfield lynchpin Moises Caicedo after he sat out the Palmeiras tie as a result of suspension, however striker Delap and centre-back Colwill are each banned this time whereas Romeo Lavia is just not match.
Nicolas Jackson, who was despatched off towards Flamengo, is obtainable and new signing Joao Pedro is pushing for a begin in assault.
Fluminense would be the third Brazilian opponents Chelsea have confronted on the competitors, after they misplaced to Flamengo within the group stage and beat Palmeiras within the quarter-finals.
“The primary two have been excellent with heaps and plenty of vitality. Tomorrow little doubt it will likely be precisely the identical,” stated Maresca as his facet put together to tackle the 2023 Copa Libertadores winners, captained by 40-year-old ex-Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.
“I believe they’ve an excellent and skilled coach. They’ve plenty of good and skilled gamers and their model is kind of clear.
“Any recreation at this stage of the match might be troublesome.”
‘Right here to make historical past’
Fluminense are actually flying the flag for South America and the remainder of the world as they full the semi-final line-up alongside Chelsea, Actual Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain — three of the final 5 UEFA Champions League winners.
Renato Portaluppi’s facet have loved a high-quality match, holding Borussia Dortmund within the group stage, defeating Inter Milan within the final 16 and knocking out Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia within the quarter-finals.
“It’s a privilege to be teaching this staff, and we’re right here to make historical past,” stated Portaluppi.
“We have to imagine. We’re up towards highly effective opponents with a monetary benefit however soccer is set on the pitch so we have to hold that in thoughts.”
He has known as Fluminense the “ugly duckling” of the match as a result of monumental distinction between their finances and people of the opposite three sides left in the US.
Nonetheless, Portaluppi believes Fluminense can nonetheless compete with Chelsea on their day as they dream of reaching the ultimate of FIFA’s expanded competitors.
“We needed to be actually competent to get this far and for the reason that starting I’ve instructed the staff it is a enormous alternative for us.
“We face groups who’re superior to us and we all know if we take our eyes off the ball we might be going house with out the title.”
He added: “I stated we have been the ugly duckling in monetary phrases as a result of that’s the actuality.
“Fluminense’s funds don’t make 10 % of these of the opposite golf equipment, however that does not imply we will not get to the ultimate and even win the Membership World Cup.”
