Why we failed against Qarabag — Chelsea’s Maresca confesses

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has opened up on his team’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Qarabağ in the UEFA Champions League, admitting his side were punished for their lack of sharpness in both penalty areas.

Despite taking an early lead through Estêvão, the Blues were forced to rely on a second-half equaliser from Alejandro Garnacho to rescue a point in Baku.

Maresca made seven changes from the side that beat Tottenham, opting to rest key players such as Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and Malo Gusto amid a congested fixture schedule.

However, the Italian insisted his decisions were justified, explaining that fatigue management was crucial. “The intention of the changes is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one. We started the right way, scored the goal, but then we conceded two, both avoidable. In their box, we need to be more clinical.”

Despite dominating possession and creating 16 shots, Chelsea only managed to test Qarabağ’s goalkeeper four times.

Maresca admitted that inefficiency in front of goal continues to haunt his side, adding: “We were much better in the second half, but we have to make chances count. Every game is a chance for these players to show why they are here.”

The Blues’ defensive fragility once again proved costly, with Jorrel Hato enduring a torrid evening. The young defender’s misjudged clearance led to Qarabağ’s equaliser before he conceded a penalty that Marko Janković coolly converted.

Maresca did not shy away from acknowledging the errors, saying, “The big difference was inside the box. They are silly goals to concede, and we can avoid them. Jorrel, like the team, started very good, but then we started to make mistakes.”

Chelsea’s draw means they have now failed to win either of their first two away games in the Champions League this season, a pattern that mirrors their broader struggles in recent weeks.

Still, Maresca urged calm, pointing out that rotation was necessary after the Club World Cup. “When we win, nobody talks about it,” he said. “But when we don’t, everyone focuses on that.”

With qualification still within reach, Maresca knows his side must rediscover their finishing touch quickly, or risk turning promising performances into more frustrating results.