According to Maresca, the quality of Brazilian players is among the best in the world, and their energy level is also a key factor. He stated, "There are two things that are very clear to me. Firstly, the quality of Brazilian players is probably the best quality. At the same time, the energy that you have in this moment compared to other teams is also very clear." He added that this energy level is a crucial factor in their team's performance.

When asked if Chelsea is the favourite to win the match, Maresca replied, "No, I don't think that Chelsea is the favourite. I think that at this point, there is no favourite. Each team that has made it to this stage has something good to offer, and they will need to work hard to win and reach the final." He emphasized the importance of possession in the competition, saying that it is crucial for both attacking and recovering.

Chelsea will face a tough defence marshalled by Thiago Silva, a Champions League winner. Maresca stated, "We respect Thiago, but we are not preparing the game against him. We are preparing the game against Fluminense. They have many good players, many experienced players, and players with quality, so we need to be careful about many things." He added that adapting to the heat in New Jersey will be crucial for their team's performance.

When asked if the heat offers Fluminense an advantage, Maresca replied, "I don't know, but we will try to adapt in the best way possible. We know that it's hotter in Brazil, but we will try to adjust." He also praised Fluminense's coach and their quality players, saying that any game at this stage of the tournament will be very difficult.