At the start of Chelsea's week in Abu Dhabi there were minor concerns that their opulent hotel in the city's outskirts combined with the warm sun would make it feel a little too like pre-season.
So the importance of departing as world champions, no matter the doubts from many in England around this competition's importance, was driven home from the start.
It meant, in Thomas Tuchel’s absence, they ended up being nervous in Wednesday's semi-final win over Al Hilal but waking up in the emirate this morning there is an undeniable feeling that this is an opportunity that must not be passed up.
Nerves, assistant coach Zsolt Low said on the eve of the game, should now be turned into intense focus.
Palmeiras, full of emotion, will be a stern test and despite few recognisable names Abel Ferreira’s squad contains obvious technical ability and a resilient structure.
The Copa Libertadores champions are expected to have about 15,000 of their supporters in the Mohammed Bin Zayed stadium come kick off, with Low warning that it will feel like an away game rather than a final on neutral territory.
Chelsea's Brazilian contingent have been underlining the tournament's meaning to South Americans, while captain Cesar Azpilicueta and technical adviser Petr Cech have spoken about their regrets at losing the 2012 final in Yokohama.
Thomas Tuchel arriving at the team hotel soon after their final training session last night will have boosted them further.
The German was last night waiting for the results of another PCR test, taken upon landing, that would clear him to be on the touchline. A result will have arrived overnight.
“It is unfortunate Thomas was not here but we hope he will join us,” Jorginho said yesterday, while Tuchel was already airborne. “It gives you more because he is your coach and there is more energy in the changing room.”
He arrived at their Ritz Carlton base a little after 7pm and was unsurprisingly greeted with delight by players and staff.
Jorginho, who already has the rare distinction of being a reigning European champion in club and international football, has even more riding on it after revealing yesterday that he was rejected by Palmeiras as a 12-year-old.
“Let me tell you something not a lot of people know,” he said at yesterday’s pre-match press conference. “The connection I have with Palmeiras is that I trialled for the team when I was 12 and did not make the team.
“That is the only memory I have of Palmeiras. That is what football is like. We are here 18 years later to compete at a club World Cup final against Palmerias and it is crazy and also why football is so beautiful. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was better this way.”
Chief among Tuchel’s tasks will, again, be to get enough from Romelu Lukaku up front after his gifted goal Wednesday glossed over more questionable finishing.
Mason Mount is expected to come back in, likely on the flank of a 3-4-3, and Edouard Mendy replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga seems probable.
Regardless of the personnel there seems to be a limited chance of complacency when it comes to completing the set, changing the club's history. It would also, as Frank Lampard said in the aftermath of 2012, be an awful long way to travel to lose.
