When you are up against a team dubbed the ‘best in the world,’ you don’t hide, you rise and fight back with all your power. And Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, plans to do so. He said, “I feel football is like a game of chess, and when the rival makes a move, you have to counteract it.”
Here comes the most anticipated final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea vs. PSG. The match will be held on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
[Trending] Underdogs With a Point to Prove in Club World Cup Final
Enzo Maresca has repeatedly praised one of the biggest rival teams, PSG’s status as the world’s best football club, and says he is thrilled to face such legends in the final.
While he acknowledges that the final against PSG will be difficult, just like every game at this level, Maresca remains hopeful of beating the best of the best.
He said, “PSG is the best team in the world and they have shown that in this tournament, showed it in France, and the Champions League. Of course, it’ll be a difficult game for us, but we are preparing ourselves in the best way possible.”
“We have maximum respect for them. I said before that I really enjoy watching them, but we are here to do our best and try to win the final.”
Preparing for a tough battle, Maresca compared the final match to “Chess”.
SUGGESTED READ: PSG vs Chelsea: Final Showdown 2025
“I feel football is like a game of chess, and when the rival makes a move, you have to counteract it, and I think this will be like a chess game.”
“All games are difficult, so we have to take them in our own way, but we are not changing anything we have already done. We have our style, and we have shown how we want to do things.”
Maresca: “I agree with most people that PSG are the best team in the World. I enjoy watching them” pic.twitter.com/4NzfIUM4Le
— Eric Njiru ⚽️ (@EricNjiiru) July 11, 2025
Maresca further announced there is a high chance that Moisés Caicedo would return to play the final after suffering an ankle injury in the semifinal win against Fluminense.
Also, he added that winger Noni Madueke has already left for the rival team Arsenal following a £50 million transfer.
The Road to the Final: Chelsea’s Journey So Far
The Blues made a grand entry in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as one of the four previous Champions League winners. Surviving and thriving in six matches defeating Los Angeles FC, Flamengo, ES Tunis, Benfica, Palmeiras, and Fluminense, Chelsea has ultimately reached the finals.
| Stage | Opponent | Result | Venue |
| Group | LAFC | 2–0 | Atlanta |
| Group | Flamengo | 1–3 (L) | Philadelphia |
| Group | ES Tunis | 2–0 | Philadelphia |
| Round of 16 | Benfica | 4–1 (AET) | Charlotte |
| Quarter-Finals | Palmeiras | 2–1 | Philadelphia |
| Semi-Finals | Fluminense | 2–0 | New York (MetLife) |
| Final | PSG | TBD | New York (MetLife) |
Amit Mishra’s Take
Truly, Enzo Maresca is the man of honor. How gracefully he calls the rival team, PSG, the best football club in the world. We can see the admiration in every word he spoke during interviews. While he acknowledges the finals will be very difficult but he is not doubting himself or the team. He promised to fight with all their powers.
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED: Palmer Masterclass Leads Chelsea to Club Glory
