Chelsea’s coach speaks out after making seven changes in the lineup

Coach Enzo Maresca clarified why he made seven adjustments to Chelsea’s starting eleven in the 2-2 draw with Qarabag.

Enzo Maresca defended his decision to rotate the squad following the surprising 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Qarabag in the Champions League group stage last week. According to the Italian coach, resting key players was necessary as they “are still recovering from last season and the Club World Cup.”

During their away match in Azerbaijan, Chelsea nearly suffered their first-ever defeat against Qarabag, a team that had never earned points against English clubs before. Despite falling behind, The Blues managed to equalize thanks to goals from Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho, securing a valuable point that keeps their hopes of progressing alive.

However, what surprised fans was that Maresca made seven changes compared to the starting lineup that won impressively against Tottenham in the Premier League the previous weekend. Stars like Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Malo Gusto were rested, giving opportunities to young players including Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Estevao, and Andrey Santos.

Explaining this decision at the post-match press conference, Maresca said: “I have said many times that some players cannot play every three days. They need time to recover, especially after last season and the intense schedule from the Club World Cup.

We try to rotate sensibly to maintain the squad’s fitness. When we win, no one comments, but when we draw, people criticize. The priority now is to recharge energy for the upcoming weekend match.”

This rotation somewhat affected Chelsea’s stability in controlling the game, especially in the first half. They even suffered an early setback when Romeo Lavia was injured just 8 minutes in, forcing Caicedo to come on as an unexpected substitute.

According to Opta statistics, Chelsea has made 85 changes to their starting lineup since the season began, the highest number among Premier League teams. Under Maresca, squad rotation is seen as a way to experiment, build depth, and provide chances for young talents.

This draw also marked Qarabag’s first-ever point against an English club in European competition after seven consecutive losses. Currently, Chelsea and Qarabag both have 7 points after 4 matches, sharing second place in the group.