Exclusive: Chelsea boosted in shock win v PSG amid Super Bowl ‘razzmatazz’
Chelsea players will have welcomed the half-time show against PSG while supporters watched on dumbfounded, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while the game should follow a strict 15-minute break, Enzo Maresca‘s side will not have been complaining in the changing rooms.
Having gone 3-0 up in the first 45 minutes, the Blues’ manager believed his team had won the Club World Cup final in the opening 10 minutes, piling on the pressure and causing multiple problems for PSG.
Despite bookings for Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto, and Pedro Neto, who could have been sent off later in the game, the pressure on loose passes and pressure without possession was enough to spook the opposition.
Chelsea defeat PSG in Club World Cup final
It appeared to be a masterclass from the former Leicester City manager, but after so much energy being used in the American climate, many would have been desperate for the half-time break.
J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly all performed before Coldplay finished off the half-time segment, with fans back in Britain confused by what was unfolding over in America.
While the second half was far less exciting for the Blues, they were able to stay compact and still create chances, testing Gianluigi Donnarumma, all while keeping a clean sheet against the Champions League winners.
A normal half-time stoppage would have seen the players given just 15 minutes to refuel, relax, and come back out for the second half, but with delays thanks to the show, Hackett believes Chelsea would have been thankful.
Enzo Maresca took advantage of Super Bowl-esque show
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Within the IFAB’s laws of the game, it is quite clear that each half has to be 45 minutes with a 15-minute interval. In terms of broadcasting, the kick-off time is so important for ensuring all television stations across the world kick off at the right time.
“What they’ve done is the typical build-up to the game, with the razzmatazz that Americans put on it, treating it in a similar way for the American audience, like the Super Bowl.
“I would find it difficult to believe that broadcasters were not aware this would be the case, for the start-up or the half-time show. Given the climate, the players may have been very happy with a 25-minute rest.
“With the wonderful approach from Chelsea in the first half, closing them down and not giving them a yard, it might have come to Chelsea’s aid more than PSG’s, so I don’t think Chelsea are going to be complaining.
“Are we going to get this at the World Cup? Almost certainly. It will be very interesting to see how the broadcasters viewed it.”