Chelsea's Club World Cup travel plan derailed by group-stage slip-up
MIAMI: Chelsea are facing a logistical headache at the Club World Cup after finishing second in their group, forcing an unexpected trip to Charlotte for their last 16 match instead of staying in Miami, where the club thought they would be based for the knockout stage.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
A club source told Reuters that travel, accommodation and training arrangements were all made with the assumption that the West Londoners would top Group D and play their round of 16 match at Hard Rock Stadium.
Instead, after a 3-1 loss to Brazil's Flamengo and only managing second place despite a 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis in their final group stage fixture in Philadelphia, Chelsea will now face Benfica on Saturday at the Bank of America Stadium.
The detour means reorganising bookings and schedules at short notice, but the club still intends to return to its Miami base after the match, adding more miles to an already hectic itinerary.
If Enzo Maresca's side reach the quarter-finals, they will return to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to face the winner of the all-Brazilian clash between Palmeiras and Botafogo.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kane Bags Double as Bayern Tame Flamengo to Set Up PSG Clash
Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich tamed Flamengo 4-2 in a tense affair at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday to set up a much-anticipated all-European quarter-final against Paris St Germain at the Club World Cup. Erick Pulgar's own goal opened the scoring for Bayern and Leon Goretzka was also on target for the German side, while Flamengo, who were defensively naive, twice reduced the deficit through Gerson and Jorginho. Backed by a raucous crowd, Flamengo played with aggression, but Bayern converted all their shots on target and reaped the rewards of a fast start, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes. "It was tough. We were playing against a really good side in difficult conditions, it was really hot," Kane said. "I thought we played well for large spells but every time we got away they clawed their way back and made it difficult. The fourth goal was important to ease the nerves and from there we managed it well." Earlier on Sunday, Champions League winners PSG sent a brutal reminder of their firepower when they cruised past Inter Miami 4-0, taking their foot off the pedal after the break in what could have turned into a humiliation for Lionel Messi's MLS team. Bayern got off to a flying start, opening the scoring in the sixth minute when Pulgar deflected a corner kick into his own net. Three minutes later, Kane doubled the advantage with a low shot that went in off the post. Flamengo got into something of a groove and went close in the 15th minute, only for Manuel Neuer to save Luiz Araujo's effort from point-blank range. Shortly after the cooling break, the Brazilian side pulled one back as Gerson fired a missile that went in off the underside of the bar, triggering a deafening roar from the crowd. Bayern, however, restored their two-goal lead before the interval when Goretzka, capitalizing on the space left by the Flamengo defense, whipped a shot from outside the box past keeper Agustin Rossi. Tempers flared after a poor challenge by Pulgar on Kane as Flamengo struggled to contain their frustration. Filipe Luis's side pulled one back again 10 minutes into the second half, Jorginho sending Neuer the wrong way after they were awarded a penalty for a Michael Olise handball. The momentum had swung and Flamengo threatened with quick breaks, but Bayern held firm before finding the back of the net once more through Kane, who beat Rossi with another clinical low shot in the 73rd minute.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Luis Enrique Eyes Historic PSG Season as They Reach Club World Cup Quarters
Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique said his team were making history after they brushed aside Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup last 16 on Sunday. The French side, who have already won their domestic league, the French Cup and the Champions League, are edging closer to completing a perfect season by lifting the Club World Cup. "This is clearly a historic season for our club, and we intend to continue making history in this competition," former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique told reporters. The reunion with ex-Barcelona players Lionel Messi and Miami coach Javier Mascherano – both central figures during Luis Enrique's Camp Nou tenure between 2014 and 2017 – added emotional weight to what was otherwise a clinical dismantling of the MLS side. "It was a very special game because I met people who are very important to me, people with whom we shared successes and failures," the 55-year-old Spaniard said. When asked if he would like to coach Messi in Europe again, he said it was a question for the Argentine. "We have all seen his qualities as a player, and he still has them. It's very difficult to play against this kind of player. It was hard, but I believe that as a team we did a really great job." PSG's ruthless first-half display effectively settled matters before Miami found their footing after the interval. "I think that's the first half where we really dominated the game. We didn't concede a single chance, but then in the second half, maybe because of the results, Inter Miami created more chances and got us into trouble," he added. With Flamengo or Bayern Munich awaiting in the quarter-finals, Luis Enrique pivoted back to the task at hand. "We have to stay focused," he insisted. "Holidays and next season are not things I'm interested in right now. We have to think about recuperating and preparing for the game in the best possible conditions."
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Harry Kane scores twice as Bayern Munich beats Flamengo 4-2 to advance in Club World Cup
Harry Kane scored twice, and Bayern Munich capitalized on a quick start to beat Flamengo 4–2 in the Club World Cup round of 16 on Sunday. Germany's premier soccer club regrouped quickly from its only loss of the tournament last week against Benfica, jumping out to a 2–0 lead and then holding off Flamengo's comeback attempt to advance to the quarterfinals. Bayern Munich will face Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday in Atlanta. Kane's first goal was a deflected strike nine minutes in that made it 2–0, and the prolific goal scorer found the back of the net again on a feed from teammate Joshua Kimmich that he whipped past goalie Agustín Rossi. The Bundesliga champion struck early when Flamengo star Erick Pulgar headed the ball into his own net off Joshua Kimmich's corner six minutes into the match. Flamengo answered when Gerson fired a strike past Manuel Neuer in the 32nd to cut the deficit to a goal before Leon Goretzka made it 3–1 at the half. Flamengo pulled within a goal again in the second half when Jorginho scored on a penalty. Then came Kane again, finishing in the 73rd with his third goal of the tournament. The 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium–home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins–has been one of the more well-attended venues of the tournament and was almost completely full Sunday, with many attendees wearing Flamengo's iconic black and red kit. Key moment: Jorginho sent Neuer the wrong way on a penalty in the 54th to cut the deficit to 3–2 and give Flamengo life. Takeaways: Bayern's win ensured that at least four European clubs will advance to the quarterfinals. It also set up a rematch of the 2020 UEFA Champions League final, as they'll face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinal after the European Champion routed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 4–0 earlier Sunday in Atlanta.
