Enzo Maresca dismisses concerns about the heat as Chelsea prepares to face 'ugly duckling' Fluminense.

The heat of the North American summer has posed challenges for many matches throughout the tournament, with several games also experiencing lengthy delays due to storm warnings.

Chelsea and Fluminense will compete at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York City, at 3:00 pm (21:00 CET) on Tuesday, and the heat could significantly affect the match.

Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund at a similar time in the same stadium during the quarter-finals, and the pace of that match suffered due to the temperatures.

"I don't believe this is solely about tomorrow's match. Like other teams, we've already faced various conditions, but the game is set for 3pm tomorrow, so all we can do is adjust and aim for victory," Maresca told the media on Monday.

Chelsea can welcome back midfield anchor Moises Caicedo after he missed the Palmeiras match due to suspension, but striker Delap and center-back Colwill are both suspended this time while Romeo Lavia is not fit.

Nicolas Jackson, who received a red card against Flamengo, is available and new signing Joao Pedro is eager to start in the attack.

Fluminense will be Chelsea's third Brazilian opponent in the tournament, following their loss to Flamengo in the group stage and victory over Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.

"The first two matches were excellent with plenty of energy. Tomorrow, it will undoubtedly be the same," said Maresca as his team prepares to face the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, led by 40-year-old former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.

"I believe they have a very competent and seasoned coach. They possess many skilled and experienced players, and their style is quite distinct.

"Every match at this stage of the tournament is challenging."

'Here to make history'

Fluminense is now representing South America and the global stage as they complete the semi-final lineup alongside Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain -- three of the last five UEFA Champions League champions.

Renato Portaluppi's team has had a remarkable tournament, drawing with Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, defeating Inter Milan in the round of 16, and eliminating Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals.

"It is an honor to coach this team, and we are here to create history," stated Portaluppi.

"We must have faith. We are facing formidable opponents with financial advantages, but football is decided on the pitch, so we must remember that."

He referred to Fluminense as the "ugly duckling" of the tournament due to the significant disparity between their budget and those of the other three remaining teams in the United States.

Nonetheless, Portaluppi believes Fluminense can still compete with Chelsea on their best day as they aspire to reach the final of FIFA's expanded competition.

"We had to be exceptionally competent to reach this point, and from the beginning, I have told the team this is a tremendous opportunity for us.

"We are up against teams that are superior to us, and we know that if we lose focus, we will go home without the trophy."

He added: "I mentioned we were the ugly duckling in financial terms because that is the reality.

"Fluminense's finances do not amount to 10 percent of those of the other clubs, but that does not mean we cannot reach the final or even win the Club World Cup."

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