Chelsea stunned the football world with a 3-0 masterclass over Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing tactical intelligence, positional discipline, and flawless execution under new boss Enzo Maresca.
In one of the most surprising results of the season, Chelsea FC produced a breathtaking performance to defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final, completely neutralizing the tournament favorites with a well-orchestrated tactical plan that left no room for errors.
Few would have predicted this outcome before kickoff. PSG had only conceded once in the entire competition, having steamrolled their way past Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Chelsea, by contrast, hadn’t even topped their group and were still waiting to face an elite European side.
But in the final, Enzo Maresca’s side delivered one of the most organized, aggressive, and intelligent performances seen from the Blues in years.
Dynamic Defensive Shape That Frustrated PSG
Chelsea started in a 4-2-3-1, but the setup was fluid and reactive. The biggest surprise was the use of Rhys James in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, a decision that paid dividends. The pair tracked Neves and Fabian Ruiz relentlessly, disrupting PSG’s usual central build-up patterns.
As PSG attempted to advance, Chelsea showed remarkable shape discipline. Whenever PSG looked to build through midfield, either James or Caicedo would press high, and the defensive line would adjust accordingly—with one of the center backs, like Trevoh Chalobah, stepping out to pressure.
Chelsea’s approach was a hybrid between zonal and man-marking, with the flexibility to track PSG’s famously rotating attackers while maintaining defensive integrity. The result? PSG had no rhythm in midfield and were unable to stretch Chelsea out of shape.
Pedro Neto’s Sacrificial Role: Neutralizing Hakimi
Pedro Neto played a vital tactical role, often dropping into the backline to form a back five. This directly countered PSG’s width, especially through Achraf Hakimi, who typically bombs forward when PSG attack in a 3-2-5 shape.
By having Neto help form a temporary five-man backline, Marc Cucurella could stay closer to PSG’s drifting attackers—often Bradley Barcola or Randal Kolo Muani—without being exposed by Hakimi’s overlapping runs. This detail prevented PSG from creating real danger from the flanks, and though they occasionally found space, no clear-cut chances were created.
Sanchez’s Role in Possession: The Unsung Hero
While Robert Sanchez has been criticized throughout the season for his distribution, this final saw a complete transformation. Chelsea’s build-up plan revolved around creating overloads to the right, and Sanchez played a crucial role in dragging PSG’s press.
Rather than distribute evenly, Sanchez received passes on the left and recycled them to the right with minimal pressure, catching PSG’s press off-balance. This is how the opening goal came: Malo Gusto surged down the right after a Sanchez switch, forced a turnover, and set up Cole Palmer, who finished clinically.
Targeting PSG’s Left Flank: The Key to Every Goal
Maresca’s strategy was clear—exploit the space behind Nuno Mendes. All three goals came from transitions down Chelsea’s right, PSG’s left.
- Goal 1: Gusto capitalizes on Mendes’ error, Palmer scores.
- Goal 2: Quick recovery and switch exposes Mendes high up the pitch; Palmer outsmarts Vitinha, Gusto overlaps, and Palmer scores again.
- Goal 3: Maresca’s side execute a perfect rotation, dragging Kvaratskhelia and Mendes out of shape. Gusto again overlaps, Palmer feeds João Pedro, who chips over Donnarumma.
This right-side bias wasn’t accidental—it was drilled and deliberate.
Second Half Control and Game Management
After a chaotic and dominant first half, Chelsea adopted a deeper block, dropping into a 5-3-2 out of possession. While PSG enjoyed more of the ball, they still couldn’t break the lines. Caicedo and James were relentless in midfield. Dembele tried to make things happen from deeper positions, but Chelsea’s shape held.
Liam Delap’s introduction gave Chelsea a fresh outlet in transitions. He forced two good saves from Donnarumma, and PSG—clearly frustrated—began to lose control and composure.
Final Thoughts: A Statement Victory Under Maresca
This was more than just a final—it was a statement. Enzo Maresca proved that Chelsea are more than a developing team; they’re now capable of executing elite-level game plans on the biggest stage.
The tactical fluidity, discipline, and ruthlessness in front of goal were signs of a team that has fully bought into their manager’s philosophy. From back to front, every player knew their role—and they played it to perfection.
With silverware secured and momentum on their side, the question now becomes: How far can Chelsea go next season?
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