It was as the sun disappeared behind the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium that Chelsea's players emerged for their final training session ahead of the Club World Cup semi-final against Al Hilal, winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League.
Chelsea's coaching staff were waiting but there was no Thomas Tuchel. The German is, of course, absent having tested positive for Covid on Friday evening. Instead, the session would be overseen by technical director Petr Cech, Zsolt Low, Arno Michels, Anthony Barry, and the rest of the coaching team.
There was no heavy-duty work undertaken by the Blues' players; it was a session largely designed to keep the squad ticking over for tomorrow's clash and one that lasted around an hour at dusk in Abu Dhabi.
What comes next will not be simple for Tuchel and his coaching staff. A side will need to be selected and the conversations will have to take place over the internet with the Chelsea head coach back at his home in Surrey.
"We have a lot of support to work in this situation and a lot of video calls with Thomas," Low said during his pre-match press conference.
"He'll support us as best he can and give us preparation in meetings every day. In the next few days, there's the possibility for him to talk to the team [via video]. We have to figure that out.
"We all the time have phone contact with Thomas, also during the game so he can analyse and we can try to translate to the team."
Given the light workout, it's unlikely the Chelsea side is picked based on today's session. Yet there were a few takeaways from training and here are four things we spotted.
There's no Reece James...
Last Friday, ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle, Tuchel stated James would not be part of the squad that travelled to the UAE as he was still recovering from a torn hamstring.
Yet come Saturday night, James was part of the group that arrived at Gatwick Airport and boarded the plane for Abu Dhabi. Clearly, a late decision had been taken for the 22-year-old to continue his comeback in a warmer climate.
James has been training away from the first-team group as he attempts to rebuild his fitness and wasn't involved in the session this afternoon on the pitch at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.
And Low has confirmed that the England international is not going to feature for Chelsea at the tournament despite the fact he was included in the travelling party.
"Reece James, no chance he'll play in the cup," Low said. "He's in a very good way but will miss still some days, some training session. He's here to enjoy the group again."
But Mason Mount does train
It was during extra time against Plymouth on Saturday that Mount came off with a knock. The 23-year-old went straight down the tunnel at Stamford Bridge to receive treatment and was able to head out to Abu Dhabi with the rest of the squad on Saturday night.
Mount undertook light training yesterday and was involved in the session run today. Yet it will not be until tomorrow that a decision is taken on whether he is ready to feature in the semi-final.
"Mason is getting better and better every day," Low said. "We'll see how he moves and feels today and take the last decision tomorrow with Mason.
"We had a hard cup game with 120 minutes and a long trip here. We have to use the first two days to recover and slowly today we are prepared for a good session and game."
Kepa makes his case
The last month has been a positive one for the Spanish goalkeeper at Chelsea. Kepa has stepped up in the absence of Edouard Mendy – who was away representing his country at AFCON – and helped the Blues reach the Carabao Cup final in the process.
Kepa's confidence was on the floor prior to the arrival of Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, but it has been rebuilt over the past 12 months and he is now viewed as a genuine competitor to Mendy.
"It's not easy to become the world's most expensive goalkeeper and he went through tough moments," Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said this afternoon. "Since Thomas arrived, he gave him confidence, gave him games, he started to be really important for the team.
"The attitude he has had has been amazing towards Edou (Mendy), Marcus (Bettinelli) and Hilario, the goalkeeping coach. We have a fantastic group of goalkeepers and we've seen how important they are for the team.
"Whoever plays, plays a huge part. We are very lucky to have two goalkeepers like Edou – a champion of Africa which is amazing for him and his country – and to have Kepa here as well.
"I see only the work Kepa has been doing in every training session even if he knew he wasn't going to play. He has always been ready for the team and we have to enjoy what the situation is with our goalkeepers and have them with us."
Mendy is set to join up with the Chelsea squad later today following Senegal's win at AFCON on Sunday. However, the 29-year-old will almost certainly not be game-ready for the semi-final with Al Halil tomorrow.
That should mean Kepa is handed another start and he will be hopeful of producing another strong display to help Chelsea reach Saturday's final.
