Preview of the Club World Cup quarterfinals 16 knockout match (2): Can Benfica block Chelsea?

The second game of the 2025 Club World Cup round of 16 knockout match will be staged at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Benfica beat Auckland City 6-0 in the second game after dating Argentina's team Boca Youth in the first round. In the last group match against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, he won another 1-0, and finally ranked first in the group with 7 points.

Chelsea's Group D first defeated Los Angeles 2-0 in the first game, but lost 1-3 in the second game with the Brazilian League team Flamenco, and hoped to stabilize the right to qualify with a 3-0 in the third game. In the round of 16 knockout matches with Benfica, can Chelsea still play the smooth offensive scene in the two winning games in the group stage?

Benfica's head coach Bruno Lager said in an interview with the media: We were underestimated before winning Bayern. Through this victory, we hope to play our stronger characteristics in the knockout round.

What are the characteristics of Benfica that make Rag confident in his team? Take Bayern Munich in the third game of the group stage. In the first half, Kompany won the initiative over Benficado through rhythm control, but unfortunately, it was not converted into a scoring opportunity. Faced with Charlotte's 36° high temperature, the two European teams were obviously not used. Benkoka's front midfielder Prestiani was treated with emergency medical treatment due to the high temperature in 35 minutes, but the player persisted until 55 minutes in the second half before being replaced.

After Kompany replaced Oliver, Kane and Kimmich in the second half, Bayern's offensive vitality and hardness began to increase, and he obtained several obvious scoring opportunities. If it weren't for Benfica goalkeeper Trubin's heroic performance, Bayern might have changed the fortune of this game. However, this may be what Benfica coach Rag said, the characteristic of this team: they are eager to win. After the game, Trubin, who was interviewed by FIFA, said: For today's victory, we have done everything we can, and we did our best to get ourselves into the knockout round. Benfica's center Pavridis also said in an interview: We want to win every game, and for me, Benfica's goal is to win. Antonio Silva, who shouldered the defensive responsibility in the group stage, said: Everyone has seen the quality of our game and how we gritted our teeth and persevered when we encountered difficulties. This is our team, and everyone comes through every game.

If you use a few words to summarize Benfica, I think it is: strict tactical discipline, fast offense and defense pace, and dedication to the game.

Chelsea's 1 billion euro club has been trained by Maresca for a season, and its main framework and technical and tactical play with young players as the core have taken shape. This summer window, 22-year-old striker Drapp bought from Ipswich, giving Chelsea a rich reserve of staff in the midfield and frontcourt.

Chelsea's bench thickness supports the tactical requirements for Maresca's large-scale personnel rotation, so in the three group stages, Chelsea tried different combinations in the starting lineup. These rotations between the main players and the substitutes ensure the physical fitness and competitive state of the core players after Chelsea entered the knockout stage.

In terms of ball scheduling, Enzo Fernandez has become the most important player in charge of the transfer in the Maresca system. Whether it is the regular formation of 433 or the adjustment of 4231, Enzo is now the commander of Chelsea's offensive system. Kesedo, who is in the defensive midfielder position, provides strong firepower support for Enzo's command and dispatch. His outstanding interception ability and large-scale defensive coverage ensure the defensive hardness of Chelsea's midfield and backcourt.

Drapp, in the forward position, has shown his corresponding value in three group matches. The two wings are paired with fast and skilled Neto and Maduaike, and with Palmer who can lead the needle, Chelsea's lineup can compete with any other top 16 team. Therefore, Maresca's skills and tactics are not worried about realizing them.

Judging from the absolute control of the two teams, Chelsea's chances of entering the quarterfinals are significantly higher than Benfica. But in addition to absolute strength, there are some other factors that are shown on the court: luck, on-the-spot performance, combat effectiveness, etc.

I analyzed the previous article that Benfica's team is currently full of combat effectiveness. And their attitude towards winning the game was projected into every game. From this point of view, in this game between Benfica and Chelsea, Rag will definitely ask his team to start the game. After all, in the game of attrition, their team's absolute strength cannot compete with Chelsea. If Benfica can knock on Chelsea's door through the 15-minute high-intensity game rhythm, then for this team with strict tactical discipline, their hope of entering the quarterfinals will increase greatly by relying on a stable defensive counterattack.

There is another player in Benfica that cannot be ignored, that is 37-year-old Di Maria. In the game against Bayern Munich, Di Maria's multiple wing attacks and personal breakthroughs were impressive. Will this wingless angel play a final role in Chelsea’s game?

Personal prediction: Benfica 1:3 (1:0) Chelsea