'A Bit Strange': Chelsea Coach Enzo Maresca Responds To 50,000 Empty Seats

“The environment was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty, not full," Maresca told reporters. “We are professional, we have to adapt to the situation, to the environment…It’s important the behaviour of the players, the attitude, and once again they showed how professional they are."

Maresca mentioned that his team had anticipated a larger crowd and hoped for a better turnout in their upcoming match against Brazil’s Flamengo in Philadelphia.

“We prepared this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different, but no doubt that the next one will be a nice one, because we know that the Brazilian teams, they always bring many, many fans," he added.

More than 60,000 spectators attended the opening match between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Al Ahly on Saturday, while 80,000 filled the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Sunday for the game between UEFA Champions League winners Paris-Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid.

Boca Juniors supporters created a lively atmosphere later on Monday for their match against Benfica at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. However, Chelsea’s game was scheduled at 3:00 pm local time on a working Monday, resulting in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium being less than a third full.

MLS side Atlanta United averages nearly 45,000 fans at their matches, making them the best-supported team in the US. “PSG against Atletico, in front of a big crowd at the Rose Bowl…so I don’t know if there’s just more fans in Los Angeles who are into this tournament than here, or if it’s the pairing tonight," said LA coach Steve Cherundolo.

Nonetheless, the American coach stated it was too early to judge FIFA’s new expanded competition based on just one match. “Regarding crowds I think it’s kind of different each game you look at, so I don’t think we should be talking about this right now," he added.

“I think we should wait until the end of the tournament…(to make) an opinion about it as a whole, as opposed to one game."

With AFP Inputs