Chelsea came from behind to rescue a shock draw away to Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Blues faced a 5,000-mile round trip for the tie, held in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, and seemed to be struggling with jet lag as they were caught off guard by their host’s front-footed play. They opened the scoring through Estevao Willian with just over a quarter of an hour played, but that was the extent of their joy on the night.
Qarabag were ahead by half-time, with both of their goals down to errors from the young defender Jorrel Hato. He was beaten far too easily by Camilo Duran, whose shot came off the post and was tapped home by the impressive Leandro Andrade. Shortly thereafter, Hato conceded a penalty, dispatched by Marko Jankovic to put Qarabag 2-1 up at the break.
Enzo Maresca made three changes at half-time and Chelsea drew level through Alejandro Garnacho, but, try as they might, could not find a winner. In fact, they as close to conceding again as they did to scoring. The Blues can do a spot of soul searching on the five-and-a-half-hour flight home, before hosting Wolves on Saturday. Catch up with all the action as it happened below with our dedicated live blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
Qarabag vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Garnacho equalises for Chelsea
- GOAL! Hosts lead after penalty
- GOAL! Andrade levels
- GOAL! Chelsea lead through Estevao
- Qarabag XI
- Chelsea XI
FULL TIME: Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:40 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle. The points are shared in Baku.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:38 , Arthur Ferridge90+3mins: Enzo’s corner hits the first man and Qarabag counter apace, but Tosin is there to settle the situation.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:37 , Arthur Ferridge90+3mins: At the opposite end, Estevao sets up Garnacho for an acrobatic effort, tipped behind for a corner!
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:37 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: Kashchuk has a shot from inside the six-yard box, but his effort is into Sanchez’s hands! That could have been the winner for Qarabag!
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:35 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Five minutes have been added on.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:30 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: Buonanotte shoots from range and his effort is wide.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:28 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: Caicedo’s last-gasp intervention denies Qarabag a chance to tap-in an equaliser.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:27 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: That could have been it! Estevao skips past one, two defenders and gets a shot off, but it is well over the bar. He thinks it was deflected, the officials disagree, goal kick.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:26 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Fernandez is the latest Chelsea player to pump a cross into the box and win a corner, which comes to nought.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:25 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Cucurella clatters the Qarabag keeper in what could just about be described as a 50/50.
Dom Smith reports
19:24 , Arthur FerridgeSuperb skill from Estevao there. He has been the one outstanding Chelsea player tonight.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:23 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Fernandez has a go from the edge of the box which floats just over the bar.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:22 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Estevao beats his man at the byline and squares for Fernandez, but the pass is cut out before it can reach the Argentine.
Resultant corner goes short to Garnacho, and he shanks his shot badly. Less said about that, the better. Pretend you didn’t see it.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:20 , Arthur Ferridge75mins: Time is quickly running out for the Blues to find a winner here.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:17 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: Estevao dances goalwards and jinks in off the right flank, but his eventual shot is blocked.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:16 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Facundo Buonanotte replaces Joao Pedro for Chelsea.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:15 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: After a frenetic first hour or so, the Qarabag players are dropping like flies. There is a cramp epidemic tearing through Baku.
Dom Smith reports
19:14 , Arthur FerridgeGood run from Delap but he has to do better with the finish. Chelsea searching intently for that all-important third goal.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:14 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: Delap is played into the area and gets a shot off, but he misses wide of the left post.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:13 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: This match was grown decidedly pedestrian now. A brief burst of excitement as Fernandez is played into the corner, but his cross-field ball to Garnacho is wayward.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:11 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: This has been a great performance from Reece James, by the way.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:09 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Quite a bit of the pace has come out of this match, which should, in theory, suit Chelsea.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:09 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Axundzadze has a go from range and his effort rolls narrowly wide of the post.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:06 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Two changes for Qarabag, who withdraw their two best forwards in Andrade and Duran. Let’s see if that pays off for them.
Dom Smith reports
19:05 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea creating chances at will now but have to take one. This is a match they will have have absolutely expected to win, and they have the impetus now to go and do it. Big final half an hour coming.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:05 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Caicedo plays a wonderful ball over the top to Estevao, who has neither the pace nor the physicality to get beyond Medina.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:02 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: Another great save from Kochalski to deny Delap, who was offside anyway.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:01 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Duran gets into the area and has Hato in all sorts of trouble, but fouls the Dutchman before he can get a shot away.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea
19:00 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Kochalski is doing a wonderful job of dominating his box. Has kept Chelsea’s aerial threat at a minimum here.
Dom Smith reports
18:58 , Arthur FerridgeIt's a vital goal for Chelsea, who have been under real pressure. Garnacho repays the faith to bring him on with his first European goal in two years. What a magnificent strike.
GOAL! Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea | Garnacho '52
18:57 , Arthur FerridgeGarnacho brings Chelsea level - admittedly against the run of play. He lashes one across goal into the bottom corner.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:56 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Duran picks Tosin’s pocket and breaks at goal, but the big Briton recovers. Qarabag piling on the pressure.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:53 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Reece James is booked after his cynical foul to stop the Qarabag counter.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:52 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Estevao’s slip, in hindsight, looks fairly innocuous.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:52 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Estevao slips and falls awkwardly, and immediately signals to the bench that he requires treatment. He is clutching his ankle, but hops back up to continue. Qarabag play on, much to Reece James’ chagrin.
Dom Smith reports
18:50 , Arthur FerridgeA triple change for Chelsea that doesn't include Jorrel Hato being replaced. Very interesting.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:50 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: Big test for Liam Delap in what is effectively his return from a months-long injury.
2ND HALF: Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:49 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway in Baku, and the Blues have it all to do... Enzo Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho, and Liam Delap are all coming on in place of Andrey Santos, Jamie Gittens, and Tyrique George.
HALF TIME: Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:34 , Arthur FerridgeFew would have expected this at kick-off, but the Blues are behind at the break!
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:32 , Arthur Ferridge45+1mins: Gittens attempt at an equaliser is blocked behind for a corner.
Three minutes added on.
Dom Smith reports
18:31 , Arthur FerridgeSigns of frustration are creeping in for Chelsea, who know they must turn this around and have a game on their hands. That half-time team talk from Maresca needs to be an inspiring one, but will be make changes?
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:30 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Andrey Santos is booked for a slightly reckless late tackle.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:30 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: A dangerous foray forward from Duran ends with a wayward cross into touch.
Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea
18:26 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Chelsea scored ten unanswered over their first two meetings with Qarabag. They have shipped two before half-time here.
Dom Smith reports
18:25 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea up against it now, after a penalty conceded by Hato, who has endured a very difficult evening so far.
GOAL! Qarabag 2-1 Chelsea | Jankovic '38
18:24 , Arthur FerridgeJankovic dispatches the penalty and Chelsea trail with just a few minutes left until half-time!
Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea
18:23 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Hato’s evening goes from bad to worse! Andrade fizzes a cross in and it hits Hato’s arm - penalty to Qarabag!
Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea
18:23 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Again Hato is beaten far too easily by Duran, but Chelsea are let off by his wayward shot.
Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea
18:21 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Not a great day for ‘keepers so far. Both sides have scored with their only shot on target.
Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea
18:21 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Gittens sidesteps his man and gets a shot off, but it won’t have overly worried the Qarabag keeper. His effort tamely ripples the side netting.
Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea
18:18 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Chelsea were always at risk of underestimating their opponents here, and they have been stung. We mustn’t forget that this Qarabag side have already beat Benfica and Copenhagen this season.
Dom Smith reports
18:17 , Arthur FerridgeWell no clean sheet for Chelsea, and Qarabag, having threatened, are level. They have real pace and purpose on the counter-attack, Enzo Maresca himself would admit that much. It has paid. Hato torn apart by their pace, and Leandro levels the tie up. Game on.
GOAL! Qarabag 1-1 Chelsea | Andrade '29
18:15 , Arthur FerridgeThe hosts are back level, and they are absolutely thrilled with it! Duran did all the hard work, beating Hato far too easily, but when his shot hits the post, Andrade is there to sweep up and finish the move.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:14 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: And the medic seems to have signalled Kadi needs to be replaced. That is bad news for Qarabag - Kadi started brilliantly here.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:13 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Cucurella makes a bit of a cynical tackle on the right back Kadi, who is down and looks to be in considerable discomfort. The medics attend the scene.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:11 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Another great chance for Chelsea as Gittens beats his man and squares to George, who can’t quite knock the pass goalwards.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:11 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Caicedo is blown up for a customarily crunching tackle on Andrade.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:09 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: A marauding run from Silva has Qarabag on the front foot. Duran squares dangerously to Andrade, but Cucurella gets there first.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:07 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Chelsea seem in the groove now. They are attacking in waves, and you get the impression the second can’t be particularly far away.
Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea
18:06 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Sanchez gives the ball away with a loose pass and Qarabag attack, but James gets back to deny Zoubir and win a goal kick.
Dom Smith reports
18:04 , Arthur FerridgeFantastic goal by Estevao, who has four goals in seven games for Chelsea and is on fire at the moment. The Brazilians combine as Santos plays to Estevao, and the teenager cuts in before firing hard and low into the near post. His end product is really improving - and it's given Chelsea the lead they deserve.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-1 Chelsea | Estevao '16
18:02 , Arthur FerridgeEstevao opens the scoring! It is a thoroughly Brazilian move as Joao Pedro finds Andrey Santos in the box, and he in turn finds Estevao, who finishes from a tight angle.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
18:02 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: More resolute Qarabag defending as Gittens’ pass is cut out and a counter is triggered, but the Blues quell it.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
18:00 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: No penalty given! A let-off for the Blues.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
18:00 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: Huge penalty shout for Qarabag as a very clumsy tackle from Hato brings Duran down in the area. He was clean through on goal, and VAR are checking.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:58 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: And that could have been the opener! Joao Pedro plays George in and he squares to Santos on the corner of the six-yard box, but the Brazilian’s close-range effort is wide of the mark.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:57 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Gittens gets in behind and squares for Joao Pedro, but his ball is slightly behind the Brazilian.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:56 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Qarabag have had some not insignificant spells in possession here, but Chelsea are dealing with their attacking threat pretty easily thus far.
Dom Smith reports...
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeDouble blow for Chelsea. Not only the potential injury to Romeo Lavia but also not being able to give Moises Caicedo the proper rest he clearly deserves. Frustrating.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:54 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Caicedo catches said corner on the volley, and smacks it over the bar. What a start that could have been!
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:54 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: And, Caicedo has now entered the fray. His first involvement will be attacking a corner.
Dom Smith reports...
17:53 , Arthur FerridgeThe presence of Jorrel Hato at left centre-back tonight will allow Marc Cucurella to push on into midfield and into the final third. Hato can also play at left-back so will take up a hybrid role that is somewhere between the two.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:53 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: Chelsea have been playing with ten men for a few minutes now as Moises Caicedo gets ready to replace the stricken Lavia.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:51 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: And just like that, Romeo Lavia’s evening is over.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:50 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Uh-oh... Lavia is down off the ball, clutching his quad.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:49 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Qarabag come forwards with a mildly threatening offensive, but Tosin cuts the attack out smartly. He plays back to Sanchez, who pumps the ball out into touch.
Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:48 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: A tentative start here. Chelsea are playing long-ball football in the early stages and not making a huge amount of progress as Qarabag get their first spell in possession.
KICK-OFF! Qarabag 0-0 Chelsea
17:44 , Arthur FerridgeThe Champions League anthem has been played, and we are UNDERWAY in Baku!
The players are out...
17:43 , Arthur FerridgeKick-off up next!
Not long to go now...
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeWith ten minutes remaining until kick-off, here’s a reminder of tonight’s starting XIs.
Qarabag XI: Kochalski; Silva, Jankovic, Zoubir, Mustafazade, Leandro Andrade, Duran, Kady, Pedro Bicalho, Jafarguliyev, Medina
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Hato, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Lavia; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; George
Other Champions League action tonight...
17:30 , Arthur FerridgeThere is, of course, plenty of other UCL action on this evening.
The other early kick-off sees Cypriot side Pafos host Villarreal.
In terms of Premier League teams, Man City are hosting Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle are hosting Athletic Bilbao.
A big day for Reece James?
17:28 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Maresca has high expectations for his captain Reece James after he shook off his fitness issues.
He said ahead of the trip to Baku: “Reece is good, he is doing well. He is fit, 100%. The way he has behaved every game is top. Even when he is not playing, the way he is with his team-mates in the dressing room.
“In the way we use Reece, we don't use him up and down. It's a big job to do that when we use a full-back in a different way. He is ready to play three games in a week.”
He hopes Romeo Lavia - who starts tonight - can follow a similar trajectory with his own injury woes.
“The main target for Romeo is now to be fit. Don't get any injuries. For me, in this moment, Romeo is where Reece was more or less one year ago in terms of being back after a long time.
“We need to manage him all the time. The target for him is to keep him fit. We need to be very careful with him because we don't want him to be out again, and finally, he can enjoy being a footballer.”
Santos and Estevao start together tonight...
17:23 , Arthur FerridgeAccording to Santos, the Brazilian pair have a ‘perfect’ relationship.
Speaking pre-match, he said: “I speak French, English, Portuguese and Spanish too. It’s important to help Estevao. Sometimes I have to translate something for him,” Santos said.
“I arrived here young, like Estevao. I know how difficult it is to be here in the Premier League if you’re 18 years old.
“We are always together in the training ground and on the outside too. Our relationship is perfect, because we always go to the national team together. We do a lot of things together. It’s important to go on the pitch with these relationships.”
Who is Tofiq Bahramov?
17:20 , Arthur FerridgeTonight’s match will be held in the 31,090 capacity Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium - but who is Tofiq Bahramov?
Well, he is the linesman who awarded Geoff Hurst’s winner in the 1966 World Cup final, of course.
Hurst’s effort rattled the bar and Bahramov deemed it to have crossed the line, though it has since been suggested that it probably fell on the line and, thus, was not a goal.
Hurst later attended the official unveiling of Bahramov’s statue outside the ground.
What is the weather like in Baku?
17:09 , Arthur FerridgeDecidedly mild.
It is currently 14°C and humid in the capital of Azerbaijan, with no chance of rain.
A message sent between the sticks?
17:02 , Arthur FerridgeFilip Jorgensen started against Ajax last time out in the Champions League, but has been dropped here for Robert Sanchez.
If Chelsea’s goalkeeper hierarchy wasn’t already clear, it should be now. Jorgensen has been far from convincing in his few appearances this season.
How far have Chelsea travelled for this match?
16:55 , Arthur FerridgeThis is quite comfortably Chelsea’s longest away day of the league phase.
They face a round-trip of right around 5,000 miles to play this match.
The flight is five-and-a-half hours each way.
It is not Chelsea’s longest competitive away day, though.
That record was set last season, when they faced FC Astana in a Conference League tie in Almaty, Kazakhstan, an away day so considerable that the fans who bothered to travel were given a complimentary keychain for their trouble.
Dom Smith reports
16:48 , Arthur FerridgeIt's a much-needed rest for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca selects all three of Chelsea's Brazilian players, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos in his starting line-up.
Chelsea supporters have become used to a very clear first XI and a very clear second XI in the opening months of the season. Well, this is a meld of both.
It'll be interesting to see how they fare against a side level on points with them in the league phase heading into the game.
Chelsea XI
16:40 , Arthur FerridgeWhat to make of that Chelsea side.
Tyrique George starts up top, with Liam Delap and Marc Guiu on the bench.
Neither Enzo Fernandez nor Moises Caicedo start.
Estevao and Jamie Gittens flank Joao Pedro, named in the No10.
Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia make up the defensive midfield partnership.
There is plenty of firepower on the bench, should reinforcements be required.
QARABAG TEAM NEWS
16:35 , Arthur FerridgeAnd the hosts...
Qarabag starting XI: Kochalski; Silva, Jankovic, Zoubir, Mustafazade, Leandro Andrade, Duran, Kady, Pedro Bicalho, Jafarguliyev, Medina
Subs: Magomedaliyev, Buntic, Mmaee, Kouakou, Akhundzade, Addai, Dani Bolt, Kashchuk, Bayramov, Huseynov, Jabrayilzade, Huseynov
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
16:31 , Arthur FerridgeHere are Enzo Maresca’s Baku Blues.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Hato, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Lavia; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; George
Subs: Jorgensen, Merrick, Acheampong, Chalobah, Gusto, Fofana, Caicedo, Buonanotte, Enzo, Garnacho, Delap, Guiu
Time for Liam Delap to step up?
16:25 , Arthur FerridgeA 5,000-mile round trip to Baku in Azerbaijan offers Liam Delap the chance for a proper return to the Chelsea fold, following the briefest of brief comebacks at Molineux last week, writes Standard Sport’s Dom Smith.
Featuring as a substitution for his first appearance in 61 days after a hamstring injury, Delap was sent off just 25 minutes into his return in last Wednesday’s eventual 4-3 Carabao Cup win at Wolves for collecting two yellow cards in the space of seven minutes.
Having served his suspension as Chelsea cruised past Tottenham on Saturday, Delap will be champing at the bit for involvement against Qarabag this evening, with Enzo Maresca likely to hand him more match minutes either from the off or from the bench.
Will Delap feature in tonight’s XI? Find out at 4.30pm...
What to know about Qarabag FK
16:19 , Arthur FerridgeQarabag are a hugely important team in the landscape of Azerbaijani football.
The 12-time champions of Azerbaijan have been around since 1951, when they were founded as Mehsul and plied their trade in the Azerbaijani SSR championship.
Their current gaffer Gurban Gurbanov - a legend of the Azerbaijan national team with 68 caps - has been at the helm since 2008, bringing with him modern tactics and a knack for nurturing local talent.
He qualified Qarabag for the Champions League for the first time in 2017. They were the first Azerbaijani side to do so.
Have Chelsea ever played against Qarabag?
16:17 , Arthur FerridgeThey have indeed - twice!
Chelsea and Qarabag were Champions League group-mates way back in 2017-18.
Cast your mind back to the bygone years when the Champions League had four-team round-robin groups. Weren’t those the days?
Anyway, Chelsea beat Qarabag in both of their pool matches. They won 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, and 4-0 away.
Qarabag finished bottom of the group with Chelsea second, pipped by Roma on goal difference.
Chelsea’s Champions League campaign did not last much longer, though, as they were dumped out in the round of 16 by Barcelona, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
Last time out in Azerbaijan
16:05 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea’s most recent match in Azerbaijan was a memorable one.
They beat Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final in Baku, winning 4-1 thanks to goals from Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud, and Pedro.
Not a bad away day, that.
Chelsea travelling squad
15:57 , Arthur FerridgeBlues fans had hoped to see some fringe players or youngsters get a chance to impress in Baku today, but Maresca has gone for a strong travelling squad.
The only first-team player missing out is Pedro Neto, injured. The likes of Reggie Walsh, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, and Shim Mheuka have all missed out.
The only current academy player on location, then, is reserve ‘keeper Max Merrick, 19, who has pipped Gaga Slonina and will be handed a rare chance to impress in the unlikely event both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen are injured this evening.
Here’s the travelling squad in full...
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Max Merrick, Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Reece James
Midfielders: Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian
Standard Sport prediction
15:50 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea have scored ten goals in their two meetings with Qarabag, and will be keen to celebrate Guy Fawkes night with some more fireworks in Baku.
The challenge for the Blues is to avoid underestimating their opposition. Qarabag are no slouches, as proven in earlier Champions League wins over Benfica and Copenhagen.
It could prove a banana skin for Chelsea, who have been far from consistent this season, but having been boosted by last weekend’s derby victory, a professional performance should be enough to see them through.
Qarabag 1-4 Chelsea
Chelsea team news
15:40 , Arthur FerridgeAfter facing a minor injury crisis earlier in October, Chelsea have just a handful of absentees for the trip to Azerbaijan. They include Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile, neither of whom are expected to return until after the November international break.
Dario Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (ACL) remain long-term absentees.
Liam Delap will return to the squad after being suspended for Sunday’s derby win over Tottenham.
As he did with last season’s Conference League away day in Kazakhstan, Maresca had been expected to rotate his squad against lesser opposition to spare some of his key players two long-haul flights. He has brought a full-strength travelling contingent, though.
Pedro Neto missed training on Tuesday after being substituted early against Spurs, and has not travelled for the match.
Qarabag team news
15:30 , Arthur FerridgeQarabag have made it to this stage of the season with no major injuries, though backup striker Musa Qurbanly, goalless in two cameo appearances this season, is a doubt with a knock to the knee.
How to watch Qarabag vs Chelsea
15:20 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 5pm ahead of a 5.45pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
