Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has described the experience of playing in front of 50,000 empty seats as “strange” after his side’s recent fixture at a near-deserted stadium. Despite the eerie atmosphere, Chelsea managed to secure a solid performance, but the Italian manager noted the unusual silence had a noticeable effect on the players.
“It’s not something you’re used to at this level — the silence almost echoes,” Maresca said post-match. “We had to create our own energy.”
Flamengo Also Off to a Winning Start.
Meanwhile, over in South America, Brazilian giants Flamengo began their new campaign on a high note, registering a confident victory to set the tone for the season. The squad looked sharp and well-organized, suggesting that their preseason preparations have paid off.
With both Chelsea and Flamengo starting strong — albeit under very different atmospheres — fans are eager to see how these early wins set the pace for the rest of their respective seasons.