Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described the atmosphere as “strange” after his side played in front of over 50,000 empty seats in their FIFA Club World Cup Group D opener on Monday.
The Blues defeated Los Angeles FC 2-0 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has a capacity of 71,000. However, just 22,137 fans attended the match.
“The environment was a bit strange – the stadium was almost empty,” said Maresca. “We’re professionals and must adapt. Whether it’s full or not, we have to perform.”
Despite tickets still being available during the match — some dropping to £26 from a pre-kickoff low of £37 — large sections of the stadium remained vacant.
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez scored for Chelsea, while Liam Delap made his debut off the bench.
Elsewhere, Group C delivered fireworks as Benfica and Boca Juniors drew 2-2 in front of a boisterous crowd at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Boca surged ahead with goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia before Ángel Di María converted a penalty just before halftime.
Nicolás Otamendi equalized late on. Both teams ended with 10 men, and Boca’s Ander Herrera was sent off from the bench.
The result leaves both sides likely battling for second after Bayern Munich hammered Auckland City 10-0 in the other Group C fixture.
In Group D’s second game, Flamengo beat Esperance de Tunis 2-0 in Philadelphia.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho impressed on his debut, while goals from Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Luiz Araújo secured the win for the Brazilian champions.
