The inaugural 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States reaches its final chapter, as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain prepare to face off in a much-anticipated showdown between two of Europe’s most tactically evolved sides.
The Blues arrive in the final after a composed 2–0 victory over Brazil’s Fluminense, showcasing the balance and maturity developed under Enzo Maresca.
Meanwhile, Les Parisiens emphatic 4–0 demolition of Real Madrid in the CWC semi-final continues their staggering run of dominance this year.
PSG continue building on a historic UEFA Champions League campaign that culminated in a 5–0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, the club’s first European title.
Under Luis Enrique tactics, PSG have emerged not just as winners but as the continent’s tactical benchmark, combining structural precision with devastating final-third execution.
This final, however, is more than a clash of squads; it is a clash of ideologies.
PSG’s possession-based model, infused with explosive transitions, meets Chelsea’s calculated, volume-driven approach, underpinned by a growing edge in both phases of play.
In this data analysis and tactical preview, we dissect the key tactical elements that define each team’s journey and style and attempt to answer the underlying questions that will shape the outcome of this final.
How has Chelsea’s attacking volume and pressing balance matured through the tournament?
Can PSG’s dual-threat model — part-possession, part-transition — hold under pressure from a well-drilled Premier League opponent?
And ultimately, which system is more likely to succeed in a one-off final where moments, not just models, define champions?
Chelsea In Possession – Volume, Control, & Growing Edge
Chelsea’s attacking evolution under Enzo Maresca tactics has been a central narrative of their run to the Club World Cup Final.
Across six matches, they’ve scored 14 goals (2.33 per 90) from an xG total of 9.84 (1.64 per 90), a slight overperformance, but one that reflects intelligent chance creation and moments of sharp finishing rather than pure luck.
Selected Attacking & Possession Metrics For Chelsea At The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Their positional play, a hallmark of Maresca’s ideology, continues to thrive: the Blues generate 31.33 positional attacks per game, placing them among the most territorially aggressive sides in the tournament.
However, there’s nuance beneath the surface.
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