Chelsea’s Champions League hopes falter in Baku
Chelsea’s ambitions for direct passage to the Champions League knockout stages suffered a significant blow in Azerbaijan, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Qarabag, reports BritPanorama.
The Blues currently occupy a playoff position with seven points from four matches, having secured just two victories in the competition so far. This lack of form raises concerns as they face increasing pressure ahead of their upcoming matches.
Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian gave Chelsea an ideal start, scoring in the 16th minute, after being set up by compatriot Andrey Santos. This goal marked his fourth across all competitions and his second consecutive strike in the Champions League. However, Qarabag demonstrated resilience, quickly equalising as Leandro Andrade converted the rebound after a shot struck the woodwork in the 29th minute. A handball from Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato shortly thereafter allowed Marko Jankovic to score from the spot, giving the hosts a surprising lead.
In response to his side’s struggles, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made a triple substitution at halftime, with Alejandro Garnacho making an immediate impact by equalising just seven minutes into the second half. Despite this revitalisation, Chelsea failed to convert further chances and maintain their momentum, leaving them vulnerable in the final stages.
Maresca’s decision to alter his defensive line-up raised eyebrows, particularly with Hato, who faced scrutiny for his performance, including gifting the penalty. Observers noted the defensive frailties extended beyond him, with others, including Tosin Adarbioyo and Reece James, appearing out of sorts against Qarabag’s attackers.
With their European campaign yielding only two victories—against struggling Ajax and Benfica—this disappointing outcome transforms the upcoming encounter with Barcelona on 25 November from a prestigious fixture into a must-win for Chelsea’s hopes of progression to the knockout phase.
The pressure is mounting, highlighting the precarious nature of Chelsea’s position in this year’s Champions League. It serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in football, particularly in a high-stakes environment where every point counts.
