Chelsea Head Coach Criticizes 2025 FCWC in US Weather Delays
Rana Atef
On Sunday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca criticized the choice of the United States as host of the Club World Cup.
He described that two-hour weather delay in Chelsea's game against Benfica in the round-of-16 as "a joke."
The Blues will face Palmeiras after their 4-1 victory after extra time.
Chelsea were leading 1-0 through Reece James' 64th-minute free kick before Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic stopped the match due to lightning in the area with four minutes remaining.
The game was halted for two hours due to weather warnings which led the leave of the majority of the 25,929 crowd.
The game was halted in minute 84. The game resumed, Benfica were awarded a stoppage-time penalty for handball by Malo Gusto. Ángel Di María equalised from the spot to force an additional 30 minutes.
Following Benfica winger's Gianluca Prestianni's 92nd-minute red card, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all struck in extra time but Maresca was left seething about the logistical challenges.
Maresca told reporters: "We didn't concede nothing, we created chances enough to win the game."
"And then after the break, the game changed completely. I think for me personally it's not football. It's already seven, eight, nine games that they suspended. I think it's a joke to be honest, it's not football. It's not for us. You cannot be inside [for so long].
"It's completely something new but I struggle to understand. I can understand that for security reasons, you have to suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably is not the right place to do this competition."
Pushed on whether the stoppages were damaging for the competition, Maresca continued: "Please, don't misunderstand me. I said it's a fantastic competition. It's a Club World Cup. It's top. We are happy to be in the last eight. We are happy to win all these kind of things.
"But something happens, six, seven games suspended, probably the one[s] that they decide, they need a reason, because it's not normal to suspend a game. In a World Cup, how many games are suspended? Zero, probably. In Europe, how many games? Zero.
"We are here, two weeks, they're already suspended six, seven games. There is some problem for me personally.
"But I'm talking as a manager. Because when you are two hours inside, you try to keep them in the game, but for two hours, they are speaking with the family outside for safety reasons. They are eating something, they are playing, they are laughing. How can you keep them two hours inside, focused? It's a joke.
"That's why I said it. Then we are happy. We are happy to be here. We are happy to be in this competition. But it's something that is not normal."
read more
Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16
World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider
Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico
Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify
Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup
Sports
Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup
Sports
Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title
Sports
Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek
Sports
Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Videos & Features
Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
News
Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Technology
50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Beating Messi's Miami 'harder than it may seem': PSG's Luis Enrique - Egyptian Football
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said defeating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Sunday was trickier than it seemed despite the French side's 4-0 Club World Cup last 16 triumph. Joao Neves' early strike sent PSG ahead and then they scored three more in a flurry before half-time to take an unassailable lead. Former PSG and Barcelona star Messi impressed in the second half as Miami battled well but could not find a way through. "It is difficult to play against players of this calibre, it was difficult, but I think as a team we did an excellent job," Luis Enrique told reporters. "There's a visible difference between the first and second halves... their quality is evident, and I think we deserved the victory. "It was harder than it may seem, after the first half." The Spanish coach said his PSG team, who won the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the French Cup to claim their first ever treble, are in spectacular form and are hoping to triumph in the United States. "Clearly, we are experiencing a historic season for our club, we aim to go far in this competition," continued Luis Enrique. "We are in the quarter-finals, with only eight teams remaining. Our goal is to progress as far as possible and to compete for the trophy. But for that, we need to overcome two more knock-out rounds. "The season is very long, as it is for all teams, but the motivation to be competitive is there." PSG winger Ousmane Dembele said he was "glad to see" Messi and his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano. "Leo is a unique person, to share a game with him was magnificent, I was a kid watching his magic on the television, so it's unique," said PSG defender Lucas Beraldo. 'Reality' hits Inter Miami coach Mascherano said he was pleased with his team's performance at the tournament despite their eventual thrashing by PSG. "We achieved the goal we had set for ourselves, we were very aware that we could compete up to a certain level, and today reality has shown that," Mascherano told reporters. "I am very proud of my players, of the work they did in the competition (...) we tried to show in each match what we could do. The gap is what it is, but I am very proud of them." Mascherano said his Argentine compatriot Messi was able to show his quality despite the defeat. "I think Leo played a great game, within the options we had. In the second half, we found him much more. In the first half, we couldn't due to Paris's pressure," said the coach. "They slowed their tempo in the second half, and we were able to show what we usually do in MLS (Major League Soccer)." Despite PSG being arguably the best team in the world at the moment, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was filled with Inter Miami shirts, mostly with eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi's number 10 on the back. "PSG is in great form, champions of everything, but people still pay for a ticket to see Leo Messi, even at 38 years old," added Mascherano. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
9 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Spain, Netherlands Capture Historic Titles at FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025
Mohamed Mandour Spain and the Netherlands clinched their first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Cup titles on Sunday after a dramatic final day in Ulaanbaatar, capping off a week of high-intensity basketball that drew more than 50,000 fans to the Mongolian capital. In the men's final, Spain defeated Switzerland 21-17 behind a dominant performance from Diego De Blas, who knocked down four two-pointers and set the early tone for the Spaniards. De Blas gave Spain a 10-5 lead just three minutes into the contest, and continued to shine on both ends of the court. With 2:21 remaining, De Blas brought Spain to the brink of victory before Iván Aurrecoechea sealed the win with a powerful dunk — a moment that etched Spain's name into 3x3 history with its first World Cup crown. The women's final saw the Netherlands overcome host nation Mongolia, who had captured hearts with their underdog run to the championship game. Led by world No. 1 Noortje Driessen, the Dutch squad applied relentless defensive pressure and built a commanding lead. A step-back two-pointer from Driessen pushed the margin to eight with three minutes left, all but sealing Mongolia's fate. Despite a late push and their first two-pointer of the game with just 90 seconds on the clock, the home side couldn't close the gap. The Netherlands held firm to claim their maiden title, confirming their status as the world's top-ranked team. The 2025 edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup delivered unforgettable moments and milestone victories, setting a new benchmark for the sport's global rise. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
See - Sada Elbalad
17 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Chelsea Head Coach Criticizes 2025 FCWC in US Weather Delays
Rana Atef On Sunday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca criticized the choice of the United States as host of the Club World Cup. He described that two-hour weather delay in Chelsea's game against Benfica in the round-of-16 as "a joke." The Blues will face Palmeiras after their 4-1 victory after extra time. Chelsea were leading 1-0 through Reece James' 64th-minute free kick before Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic stopped the match due to lightning in the area with four minutes remaining. The game was halted for two hours due to weather warnings which led the leave of the majority of the 25,929 crowd. The game was halted in minute 84. The game resumed, Benfica were awarded a stoppage-time penalty for handball by Malo Gusto. Ángel Di María equalised from the spot to force an additional 30 minutes. Following Benfica winger's Gianluca Prestianni's 92nd-minute red card, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all struck in extra time but Maresca was left seething about the logistical challenges. Maresca told reporters: "We didn't concede nothing, we created chances enough to win the game." "And then after the break, the game changed completely. I think for me personally it's not football. It's already seven, eight, nine games that they suspended. I think it's a joke to be honest, it's not football. It's not for us. You cannot be inside [for so long]. "It's completely something new but I struggle to understand. I can understand that for security reasons, you have to suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably is not the right place to do this competition." Pushed on whether the stoppages were damaging for the competition, Maresca continued: "Please, don't misunderstand me. I said it's a fantastic competition. It's a Club World Cup. It's top. We are happy to be in the last eight. We are happy to win all these kind of things. "But something happens, six, seven games suspended, probably the one[s] that they decide, they need a reason, because it's not normal to suspend a game. In a World Cup, how many games are suspended? Zero, probably. In Europe, how many games? Zero. "We are here, two weeks, they're already suspended six, seven games. There is some problem for me personally. "But I'm talking as a manager. Because when you are two hours inside, you try to keep them in the game, but for two hours, they are speaking with the family outside for safety reasons. They are eating something, they are playing, they are laughing. How can you keep them two hours inside, focused? It's a joke. "That's why I said it. Then we are happy. We are happy to be here. We are happy to be in this competition. But it's something that is not normal." read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
