Whoopsie Daisy! Chelsea Wins with Less Than Half the Crowd: An Unusual Atmosphere at Club World Cup
Chelsea FC Secures Victory in an Unusual Mood
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Title contenders and purse pleaseurs, FC Chelsea, found themselves in the favorable position as one of the top candidates for the Club World Cup. The kickoff was smooth, but the mojo just wasn't there.
Nearly 50,000 empty seats, a laid-back energy: Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca described the vibe during the Club World Cup opener as "unusual." Only 22,000 fans witnessed Chelsea's 2:0 (1:0) victory against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while the stadium for MLS team Atlanta United and NFL team Atlanta Falcons accommodates 71,000 spectators.
"The entire event felt a bit odd. The stadium was nearly deserted," said Maresca of the Monday 3 pm showdown: "But we're professionals; we've gotta adapt. The players' behavior and attitude remain critical. They've proven once again how dedicated they are."
Football Sparks Fly - Three Red Cards and Four GoalsThe Club World Cup crowd has witnessed much larger turnouts so far: More than 60,000 supporters flocked to the opening battle between Inter Miami and Lionel Messi's squad (Al Ahly) on Saturday, while an eye-popping 80,000 spectators watched the clash between Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid in Pasadena on Sunday.
Maresca admits that he had hoped for a larger audience for Chelsea's opening encounter. But for the second game against Brazilian traditional club Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro in Philadelphia, he's optimistic: "We're positive the next match will be electric. We know Brazilian teams always bring a crowd."
Chelsea remained resilient despite the sparse crowd: The Conference League champions clinched the win with goals from Pedro Neto (34.) and Enzo Fernandez (79.). With the victory, Chelsea briefly took the lead in Group D.
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Behind the Scenes:Neutral Ground- Club World Cup matches are often held in a neutral setting (e.g., Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Japan) which may result in fewer local fans, especially if they aren't specifically focused on Chelsea or the opposition.- The location could pose challenges for Chelsea supporters, including expense and travel difficulties.Lower-Profile Opponents- Club World Cup matches often feature slightly less prominent opponents, which may lead to a lack of hype or appeal.Timing- Matches may be scheduled during the workweek, which can make it difficult for many supporters to attend.Prestige- Some football fans view the Club World Cup as less prestigious than the Premier League or Champions League, potentially decreasing interest in the tournament.High Ticket Prices- Tickets for the Club World Cup may be pricier than locals and traveling supporters are willing to pay.Less Local Interest- The cities hosting Club World Cup matches may have their own popular teams, causing them to pay less attention to foreign club competitions.
For more info:- If the event is held in COVID-19 affected areas, restrictions might impact attendance.
The European Parliament and the Council might consider implementing measures to encourage more fan engagement in the Club World Cup, such as providing subsidies for travel and tickets or suggesting that matches be scheduled during weekends. Despite the lack of support from local fans, Chelsea demonstrated their resilience in sports, particularly football, by clinching a 2:0 victory against Los Angeles FC, with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
