Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says his team is adjusting to challenging weather conditions as parts of the eastern United States battle an intense heatwave ahead of their crucial Club World Cup tie.
The Blues will take on Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis in their final group match in Philadelphia — one of several host cities experiencing record-breaking temperatures. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:00am Nigerian time on Wednesday.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Maresca acknowledged the impact of the heat on preparations, revealing that the conditions have limited full training sessions.
“The weather has made it nearly impossible to train at full intensity,” the Italian coach said. “We are focusing more on recovery and conserving energy as we approach the game.”
Chelsea need at least a draw to book a place in the second round of the competition. With Espérance also pushing to advance, the match promises to be a high-stakes encounter despite the oppressive heat.
