Chelsea's Injury Shield: Maresca Masters the Art of Protecting a Star Ahead of Qarabag in Baku

Match Preview

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stressed that the Blues are ready for a tough assignment in the Champions League as they travel to Baku to face Qarabag in the group’s fourth game. The aim is to keep Chelsea’s runway clear in the standings and to deliver a performance that upholds the club’s momentum on European nights.

With a packed schedule, the Italian coach acknowledged the strain on players but insisted the mood in the squad is positive as they seek consistency away from home as well as at Stamford Bridge.

Injury Updates and squad notes

One major update is the absence of Pedro Neto. Maresca described the issue as minor and explained the decision to protect the winger, meaning Neto will not be part of the squad for Wednesday’s game. Beyond Neto, the rest of the squad is available for travel and selection as Chelsea navigate a congested calendar.

Turning to Cole Palmer, Maresca admitted his condition remains delicate. “We hope he’ll be ready after the international break, perhaps for Barcelona, but we’ll assess him day by day,” the coach said, underscoring the careful approach to his recovery. Benoît Badiashile, meanwhile, is progressing and could be back after the break, a welcome development for a defence tasked with absorbing pressure on the road.

On Palmer’s absence, Maresca stressed that Chelsea would certainly benefit from having him available, but rotations and careful management will be part of the plan to guard against overuse across a heavy fixtures slate.

Speaking about the visitors, Maresca highlighted Qarabag’s tactical discipline and the leadership of coach Gurban Gurbanov, who has steered the club for 17 years. The Azerbaijani side is known for its pressing and cohesive structure and has started the season strongly with wins over Benfica and Copenhagen, before a setback in Bilbao.

The Italian manager also noted Qarabag’s home advantage, explaining that matches in Baku tend to demand focus and resilience as the hosts push hard to disrupt opponents’ rhythm.

Travel logistics were also touched upon, with Chelsea delaying departure to make use of training facilities in London after the victory over Tottenham. The squad will travel on UK time to maintain a familiar rhythm and minimize disruption.

On squad depth, Maresca offered an encouraging update on Reece James, who is fit and ready to contribute, and on Liam Delap, who has returned to training and provides an additional option in attack. Romeo Lavia’s return to full fitness remains a work in progress, and the plan is to ease him back gradually to avoid setbacks.

In sum, Maresca framed the match as an opportunity to extend Chelsea’s European run while navigating a demanding calendar through smart selection and a disciplined load management approach. The aim is to secure a positive result that strengthens their position in the group and sets up a strong finish to the phase.

Looking ahead to Qarabag, the Chelsea boss reiterated the importance of respect for the opponent, highlighting their quality and the difficulty of away trips in European competition. The physical test, the tactical discipline, and the need to control key moments will all come into play as Chelsea seek their third consecutive win in the Champions League this season.

Qarabag’s coach Gurban Gurbanov has built a steady project in Azerbaijan and enjoys a long tenure at the helm. The side has historically struggled against English clubs in European competition, but recent results against Benfica and Copenhagen show they can compete in the right conditions. Chelsea’s task is to translate that pressure into clear advantages on the night and avoid any complacency that could open the door for a surprise result.

Chelsea take confidence from the fact that all players available will be pushed to deliver, while the club’s backing staff will monitor minutes precisely to ensure peak performance when it matters most. The journey to Baku is another test of squad depth and managerial planning, as the group stage continues to demand consistency across travel, recovery, and sharpness on the pitch.

As the teams prepare to come head-to-head, Chelsea’s focus remains on method, balance, and the relentless pursuit of three points that could propel them toward their group objectives, while Qarabag eyes a breakthrough that could alter the trajectory of their European campaign.

Travel notes aside, the central question remains: can Chelsea execute the plan, protect their players, and secure the points needed to maintain momentum in Europe?

And here are two light cigars of humor to cap off the briefing: 1) If Chelsea’s rotation were a weapon, it would be a Swiss Army Knife—snappy, versatile, and somehow still slicing through the manager’s own nerves. 2) The plane to Baku must come with a built-in goalkeeper, because it seems every short-haul flight turns into a cross-country tour of the pain threshold for players and staff alike.