Chelsea 2-0 LAFC: Enzo Maresca’s Side Make Winning Start at Club World Cup in Half-Empty Stadium

Amidst a surprisingly low attendance, Chelsea easily defeated Los Angeles FC (LAFC), a Major League Soccer team, 2-0 to start their 2025 Club World Cup campaign. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues put up a professional show in the first stages of the tournament, demonstrating their quality and versatility despite the lack of enthusiasm in the stadium.

Controlled Performance from Chelsea

Chelsea controlled the ball from the start and set the pace against LAFC, who found it difficult to keep up with their fast passing and pressing. Maresca, who succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, has been eager to adopt a more possession-based approach, and his club has successfully applied his philosophy.

After a brilliant team move, midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has been rejuvenated under Maresca, scored from the edge of the box in the 28th minute to give the team the lead. The defense of LAFC was unable to stop him, as his accurate shot gave goalie Hugo Lloris no chance.

Raheem Sterling took advantage of a defensive blunder to give Chelsea a two-goal lead shortly before halftime. Sterling was fortunate to receive a misdirected pass from LAFC's defenders, drive into the box, and finish coolly past Lloris. Because LAFC lacked the attacking firepower to create a significant comeback, the goal effectively ended the match.

LAFC’s Struggles in Attack

LAFC appeared weak offensively without their ace forward Denis Bouanga, who was out by injury. Chelsea's defense, commanded by Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill, remained steadfast despite attempts by Carlos Vela and Timothy Tillman to generate opportunities. Because LAFC only managed two shots on goal during the game, goalie Djordje Petrovic was hardly ever put to the test.

The finest chance for the MLS team came in the second half when substitute Cristian Olivera scored, but Petrovic easily stopped his feeble attempt. Chelsea maintained a clean sheet because to their excellent defensive discipline and organization, which is encouraging for Maresca as he seeks to establish a strong base for his squad.

Half-Empty Stadium Raises Concerns

The poor stadium attendance was one of the game's most noticeable features. The game was played in front of thousands of empty seats, which raised concerns about ticket sales and fan involvement despite the Club World Cup's status. According to some sources, the low turnout was caused by expensive tickets and awkward scheduling, while other reports blamed the fixture's lack of local interest.

Although the small audience didn't really affect Chelsea's performance, the tournament organizers were disappointed because they had hoped for a livelier environment. Strong attendance will be essential to the competition's long-term viability when it grows to 32 teams in 2025.

Maresca’s Positive Start

This win gives Chelsea a strong start to their Club World Cup campaign. Maresca will be happy with how productive his crew is, especially considering the challenges of travel and the uncharted territory. The Italian coach has stressed the value of squad rotation, and he will need to properly manage his men as he faces more difficult challenges.

This victory positions the Blues well for their upcoming match, and they are anticipated to advance far in the competition. Chelsea will feel optimistic about contending for the title with important players like Gallagher and Sterling playing well and new recruits still settling in.

Looking Ahead

The tournament's format will dictate Chelsea's next opponents, but as they progress, they should expect more difficult opposition. Even if their involvement was a significant step for MLS, LAFC will lament a lost chance to have an influence.

Overall, Chelsea won this game easily, but the empty stands were a reminder that the Club World Cup still has trouble drawing in spectators from around the world. But winning trophies is still the main goal for Maresca and his team, and this was a positive step