Chelsea’s taxing 5,000-mile journey to Baku delivered drama, frustration, and flashes of brilliance — but ultimately not the victory they desperately sought. A 2-2 draw against a resilient Qarabağ FK side, unbeaten at home in this season’s UEFA Champions League, leaves questions lingering over Enzo Maresca’s evolving squad. For Tanzanian football lovers who follow the Premier League closely — especially fans of the Blues — this was a match that both entertained and exasperated in equal measure.
🔥 A Tough Start: Injuries and Missed Chances
Chelsea’s evening began on the wrong foot when Roméo Lavia limped off after just eight minutes, forcing an early tactical readjustment. Substitute Moisés Caicedo was quick to get involved, testing Qarabağ’s defense with a powerful half-volley.
Youngster Andrey Santos missed a glorious chance from close range but redeemed himself moments later by setting up Estêvão, who cut inside brilliantly and fired home at the near post to give Chelsea a deserved early lead.
⚡ Qarabağ’s Response: From the Woodwork to a Penalty Shout
The Azerbaijani champions may not have dominated possession, but when they attacked, they did so with purpose. Camilo Durán bullied his way past Jorrel Hato and struck the post, allowing Leandro Andrade to convert the rebound and bring the Baku crowd to life.
Things quickly deteriorated for Hato. His misjudged pass led to another Qarabağ attack, and in the chaos, he handled the ball inside the area. Marko Janković calmly slotted in the penalty, giving Qarabağ a deserved 2-1 halftime lead.
💥 Second-Half Fightback: Garnacho Delivers
Chelsea returned from halftime as a transformed side. It took only eight minutes for Argentine starlet Alejandro Garnacho to pounce on a loose ball and bury it in the bottom corner. Suddenly, the Blues were alive again.
Qarabağ’s keeper Mateusz Kochalski was forced into several saves, including a sharp stop from Enzo Fernández. Meanwhile, spaces opened at both ends as Delap, Akhundzade, Buonanotte, and Kashchuk all went close. Garnacho had a late golden chance but couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
In the end, the score remained 2-2, extending Qarabağ’s unbeaten home streak in the UCL and marking only the fourth time in 24 continental fixtures that Maresca’s Chelsea failed to secure victory.
📌 What This Means for Chelsea
For Tanzanian Chelsea supporters tuning in from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, or Zanzibar, this match reflects a growing concern:
- Defensive fragility continues to haunt big matches
- Young talents like Estêvão and Garnacho show enormous promise.
- Squad depth remains a strength, but consistency is lacking.g
- Away form in Europe must improve if Chelsea wants to go deep in the competition.
The draw isn’t a disaster — but it’s a reminder that the road to Champions League glory is long and unforgiving.
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✅ Final Word
Chelsea’s performance in Baku was a mixture of brilliance and frustration. A long journey, a spirited comeback, and missed opportunities defined a match that could easily have swung either way. For Tanzanian fans, this was a compelling reminder of why football remains the world’s most beautiful — and unpredictable — sport.
