Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, defended his decision to make significant changes to the team after a 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League. Alejandro Garnacho's goal in the second half helped Chelsea avoid a loss after Qarabag had initially taken the lead. Leandro Andrade and Marko Jankovic scored for Qarabag, overturning Estevao's early goal for Chelsea.
Chelsea has struggled in their away games this season, failing to win either of their first two Champions League matches (one draw, one loss). This is the fifth time they have faced such a challenge. Additionally, they have conceded at least two goals in three of their last four matches across all competitions.
Maresca made seven changes from the team that defeated Tottenham on Saturday
for their trip to Baku. He emphasized that the main issue was not being clinical enough in front of goal, as they only managed to hit the target four times out of 16 attempts. "The intention [of the changes] is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one," Maresca explained.
The manager highlighted that resting key players like Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Malo Gusto was necessary due to their inability to play every three days. The Club World Cup had also taken its toll on the squad. "We tried to rotate," Maresca stated. He noted that when Chelsea wins, nobody questions these decisions, but losses bring them under scrutiny.
Jorrel Hato had a challenging game, misjudging a long ball that led to Qarabag's opener and conceding a penalty by handling a cross. Jankovic converted this penalty. Maresca commented on these errors: "The big difference was inside the box. They are silly goals to concede. " He stressed that Chelsea needs to be more clinical and avoid such mistakes.
Maresca believes each match offers second-string players an opportunity to prove themselves. Despite starting well, both Hato and the team made errors that need addressing. The manager remains focused on improving performance and avoiding similar mistakes in future games.
Chelsea's recent form highlights defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistency in attack. Addressing these issues will be crucial for success in upcoming fixtures. The team's ability to adapt and improve will determine their progress in both domestic and international competitions this season.
