Garnacho Spares Chelsea Shock Champions League Loss At Qarabag

This was not a nighttime for Enzo Maresca’s trademark control. Chelsea invited unit by starting pinch a weakened squad against vulnerable guidance and were thing but measured arsenic they battled successful vain to douse Qarabag’s tone and accomplishment astatine a raucous Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.

Those fortunate capable to beryllium location were treated to a wonderfully absorbing contest. It vanished 2-2, Alejandro Garnacho coming disconnected nan chair to spare Chelsea’s blushes with a good equaliser, but it could person been anything. Both sides had chances, some defences were ropey and it had seemed that thing typical was brewing erstwhile Qarabag responded to an early extremity from nan outstanding Estêvão Willian by going 2-1 up earlier half-time.

In nan arena Chelsea’s extent ensured that they near pinch a constituent to show from their 5,000 mile round-trip to Azerbaijan’s superior city. However, they near for London knowing that they had been successful a battle. Jorrel Hato endured a nightmare successful cardinal defence, Maresca had to bring connected nan large names earlier than anticipated and nan interest for Chelsea is really overmuch harm this tie will do their hopes of finishing successful nan apical 8 of nan convention phase. They person 7 points points from their first 4 outings successful this season’s Champions League and person reliable games coming up. Barcelona sojourn Stamford Bridge later this period and will spot really overmuch Qarabag troubled Chelsea’s youngsters.

Qarabag, besides connected 7 points, person made immense strides nether their long-serving coach, Gurban Gurbanov, since doubly being thrashed by Chelsea successful 2017. All nan ingredients were location for an awkward occasion. Chelsea knew that they were inviting unit by naming a number of regulars connected nan bench.

Maresca had to negociate his squad’s workload but his determination to make 7 changes elevated Qarabag’s belief. The underdogs were fearless and it was not easy for Chelsea to stitchery their thoughts fixed nan sound pouring down from nan stands, wherever nan show of immoderate location fans opinionated successful nan aisles added to nan aerial of unruliness.

It was mayhem. Maresca rotated heavy – a starting lineup pinch an mean property of 23 years and 97 days meant Chelsea had fielded nan 2nd youngest broadside by an English nine successful a Champions League distant crippled – but it was not agelong earlier nan acquainted show of Roméo Lavia going disconnected injured forced a rejig.

Moisés Caicedo came connected but nan preamble of of Chelsea’s champion midfielder did thing to quell Qarabag’s dominance. They ripped guardant astatine will passim nan first half and many times targeted Hato and Tosin Adarabioyo, who did thing to thief his younger teammate.

Hato’s struggles were reliable to watch. The 19-year-old made a ropey start, almost giving distant a punishment aft tangling pinch Camilo Durán, and it only sewage worse from location for nan Dutch defender. He was bullied by Durán successful nan buildup to Leandro Andrade cancelling retired an early extremity from Estêvão successful nan 29th infinitesimal and was again astatine responsibility again erstwhile Qarabag went ahead.

Qarabag had a lead to protect aft Hato compounded his first correction of coughing up possession successful a vulnerable area by handling Andrade’s cross, giving Marko Jankovic nan chance to make it 2-1 by sending Robert Sánchez nan incorrect measurement from nan spot. Chelsea looked stunned. They were successful a commanding position erstwhile they collapsed done successful nan 16th minute. João Pedro played a clever walk to Andrey Santos, nan midfielder recovered Estêvão and nan winger trim wrong from nan correct earlier firing a debased changeable past Mateusz Kochalski.

The extremity ought to person settled Chelsea. Instead, they were pegged backmost erstwhile Hato grounded to woody pinch a agelong ball. Durán nipped successful and deed nan station but Andrade converted nan rebound. Qarabag looked for illustration they wanted it more, epitomised by nan infinitesimal erstwhile Elvin Jafarguliyev charged done unhindered from left-back and changeable narrowly over.

Maresca introduced Garnacho, Enzo Fernández and Liam Delap for Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George and Santos astatine half-time. Garnacho soon conjured an equaliser, drilling successful from 18 yards, but it was communal to spot Maresca bawling astatine his player.

Qarabag’s power levels dipped arsenic nan 2nd half wore on. Estêvão, riding immoderate reliable challenges connected nan right, tested their resilience pinch immoderate unthinkable dribbles. It was anyone’s to win. The Qarabag substitute Dani Bolt changeable consecutive astatine Sánchez successful added time. Garnacho besides had a chance but was denied by Kochalski. The locals roared successful appreciation astatine afloat time.