A ’tactical masterclass’ is so often lauded with the smallest of substance to back it up, but when a team, unfancied by the majority, produces a performance as Chelsea did on Sunday night to win the Club World Cup, you can’t help but look towards the sidelines.
Paris Saint-Germain had been discussed as a potentially generation-defining side in the build-up to their showdown with Enzo Maresca’s Blues. They were searching for title number five of the 2024–25 season in New Jersey, and had the chance to become the first team ever to complete the ’septet’.
However, that dream was dashed by the Blues at MetLife, with Maresca’s side producing a dominant display from start to finish to down the imperious Parisians 3–0.
There’s no doubt about it, this was a ’masterclass’ from Maresca and his team. Chelsea’s success can’t solely be pinned on the manager, but the Italian, who’s ended his maiden season in west London with a pair of trophies in his back pocket, played a major role in the Blues’ suprise triumph.
Here were three of the keys to Chelsea’s dominance over PSG in the Club World Cup final.
