Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is set to make changes to his starting lineup as his side gets ready for a crucial Club World Cup clash against Brazil’s Flamengo. The match, set for Friday, is likely to determine who tops Group D and gains an advantage heading into the knockout stage.
The Italian manager admitted on Thursday that high temperatures and a long season are affecting his players. As a result, training sessions have been shortened and made less intense. Maresca noted the need to preserve the players’ energy and focus more on team tactics than physical drills.
“It’s not easy because of the temperature,” Maresca said during a press briefing. “We’re going to try to rotate players. Unfortunately for us, the Brazilian team is more used to playing in this kind of temperature. But it doesn’t matter. We’re going to try to do our best and win the game. We need to rotate three, four, or five players each game. It’s impossible for players to be at 100% for 11 months straight.”
The Blues resumed training shortly after lifting the Europa Conference League trophy on May 28, which came right after their Premier League season ended. With little rest, Maresca is fully focused on pushing the team toward more success in this tournament.
“This feels like pre-season because we had some days off after the Premier League and then started again,” he explained. “But it’s not pre-season; it’s a big competition. We’re here to win games and go as far as possible.”
Maresca also spoke about winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who is facing an anti-doping rule charge from the English Football Association.
“Misha is a Chelsea player and I trust all Chelsea players,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to him recently, but the last time I did, he seemed fine. Until I have more information, there’s not much I can add,” he added.
