Chelsea Brace for Fluminense’s Grit and the Heat in Club World Cup Semi-Final

The temperature’s expected to climb, but Enzo Maresca is keeping it cool.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense, the Italian coach dismissed concerns about the punishing mid-afternoon heat at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The 3 p.m. local kickoff is far from ideal, particularly after several matches in the tournament have already suffered from extreme weather delays. But for Maresca, there’s no room for excuses.

“It’s the same for both teams,” he said on Monday. “We’ve already played in different conditions. We’ll adapt. Our goal is to win.”

That won’t be straightforward. Chelsea enter the tie without Liam Delap and Levi Colwill, both suspended, while Romeo Lavia remains sidelined through injury. On the bright side, Moises Caicedo returns from suspension and is expected to anchor midfield, while Nicolas Jackson is back in the fold after serving his ban against Flamengo. New signing Joao Pedro is also in contention to lead the line.

The Blues have already faced two Brazilian sides in this tournament, suffering a group-stage loss to Flamengo before overcoming Palmeiras in the quarter-finals. Fluminense, however, bring a different challenge—one shaped by resilience, tactical discipline, and a dose of the unexpected.

They’re led by a familiar face: Thiago Silva. The 40-year-old former Chelsea defender captains a side that’s exceeded expectations, knocking out Inter Milan and Al Hilal after a gutsy group-stage draw with Borussia Dortmund. Manager Renato Portaluppi has embraced the “ugly duckling” label, acknowledging the financial chasm between his side and the European heavyweights, but refusing to let it define them.

“We’re here to make history,” Portaluppi said. “Fluminense’s budget isn’t even 10% of these other clubs, but football isn’t played on spreadsheets. We’ve earned the right to be here, and we’re not afraid.”

It’s the kind of underdog story that fits the unpredictable nature of this expanded Club World Cup. Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG—three recent Champions League winners—have been expected to dominate. But Fluminense’s tenacity and tactical sharpness have proven they belong in this company.

Maresca, for his part, isn’t underestimating the Brazilian side.

“They’ve got a clear identity, a very experienced coach, and they play with tremendous energy,” he noted. “Every match at this stage is a test. This one will be no different.”

While the fixture might lack the glamour of a marquee European matchup, it offers plenty for the purists: a clash of styles, a battle of resources, and two teams with very different roads to the same destination. Chelsea are chasing silverware and a show of progress under Maresca. Fluminense, meanwhile, are chasing something bigger—a place in club history.

Regardless of the conditions or the disparity in resources, both teams know what’s at stake. And on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon in New Jersey, only one will get the chance to play for the world title.