Chelsea's next game will be at the Bank of America Stadiumplaceholder image
Chelsea's next game will be at the Bank of America Stadium | Getty Images
Everything you need to know about Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash with Benfica.
Chelsea are now preparing for their FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash with SL Benfica as they continue their bid for silverware in the United States. The Blues haven’t been at their best in the US, but many of the European sides have been inconsistent, likely owing to the fact they are coming in from the cold of a post-season break, while the clubs from the American continents went into the FIFA Club World Cup with their respective seasons ongoing.
Enzo Maresca will want to see his men step things up in the Round of 16, and facing strong Portuguese opponents in Benfica, they will have to if they want to progress to the quarter-final. Here we round up what you need to know about Chelsea’s Round of 16 clash.
When is Benfica vs Chelsea?
The FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash between Sporting Lisbon Benfica and Chelsea will take place on Saturday, June 28. Kick-off is at 9pm UK time and 4pm local time. The fixture will take place at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina. The venue usually plays host to the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
Is Benfica vs Chelsea on TV?
The FIFA Club World Cup is available live and free through DAZN. The network is offering free access to all FIFA Club World Cup knockout stage games, and that includes Benfica vs Chelsea. You can register for your free account here.
What Enzo Maresca has said
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said after his side’s win over ED Tunis: “The performance, for me, was good,’ the Blues head coach said. ‘It was not easy and until we scored the first goal, it was difficult to break their defensive line down. We were quite patient, and when we scored the first goal, the game became a little more open and a little easier for us.”
He added: “It’s impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it’s not possible for them to play every game. The ones that played were good and we’ve given some rest to Moi, Trev, Levi, Cucu, Cole, Pedro, many players. It’s important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.
“It’s important for us [to progress] because 32 clubs started in this tournament, now we are going down to 16. There are clubs in the last five or six years that have played Champions League finals, like Atletico Madrid, who are back home. So we need to be proud and happy – and now we are in the Round of 16, the target is to go through to the last eight.”
What have Chelsea’s players said?
Chelsea star Liam Delap said after the last group stage game: “We knew we had to win tonight to get through, and we’re pleased to get the job done,’ Delap said. ‘It’s a really happy feeling [to score] and hopefully it’s the first of many. I love playing football and to play for such a good team is a great feeling.”
The striker added: “We’ve just got to prepare over the next few days. Everyone will come out fighting, and hopefully we’ll progress.”
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