Esperance Sportive De Tunisie midfielder Yan Sasse (10) handles the ball against LAFC during the second half of their FIFA Club World Cup Match in Nashville. Photo by Camden Hall/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15367210aj)
by [Staff Reporter](javascript:void(0))
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025. 15:00
A place in the 2025 Club World Cup round of 16 will be on the line when ES Tunis lock horns with Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 25.
Kick-off is at 3am CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Blood and Gold made history when they beat Los Angeles FC 1-0 in Nashville on June 21, having recorded their first-ever win at the continental competition after three failed attempts in 2011, 2018 and 2019.
Maher Kanzari’s side, who lost their Group D opener against Flamengo (2-0) on June 17, breathed new life into their Club World Cup campaign to go level with the Blues on three points.
The Tunisian giants trail their English counterparts on goal difference in third place and need maximum points in Philly to secure the runners-up spot in the group as neither team can displace the Big Mengo.
Enzo Maresca’s side will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Flamengo on June 20, having kicked off proceedings in the United States with a 2-0 victory over LAFC four days earlier.
However, the weather conditions could play into ES Tunis’ hands with temperatures soaring to 37°C at the start of the week in the city, the hottest it’s been in over a decade.
Maresca admitted he had to cut Monday’s training session short amid a “code red” severe heat warning in a bid to preserve his players’ energy.
“This morning’s session has been very, very, very short… otherwise you don’t save energy for the game,” the Italian said.
“It’s been just about tomorrow’s game, planning for tomorrow, and that’s it. No more than that. As you can see, it’s not easy in these conditions with these temperatures.
“It’s difficult to work with these temperatures but we are here and we trying to do our best.”