Chelsea were forced to settle for a point in Baku after substitute Alejandro Garnacho rescued them with a second-half equaliser in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
It started smoothly for Enzo Maresca’s side when Brazilian teenager Estevao gave them the lead after just 16 minutes. But the early advantage didn’t last. Qarabag grew into the game, and their pressure soon bore fruit.
Leandro Andrade levelled just before the half-hour mark, turning home a rebound after Camilo Duran’s effort came off the post. The Azerbaijani champions then went in front when Marko Jankovic converted from the spot after a handball by 19-year-old Jorrel Hato, who endured a difficult night. Chelsea looked rattled and lacked composure.
At the break, Maresca brought on Garnacho, Liam Delap and Enzo Fernandez to inject some pace and control, and within minutes, the changes paid off. Delap fed Garnacho and then the latter finished past Mateusz Kochalski to level the score just eight minutes into the half.
From there, both sides had chances to win it, with both Garnacho and Qarabag’s Oleksii Kashchuk going close.
“Qarabag play very well and do great things, it was difficult to play against them,” Maresca said after the game. “But we conceded silly goals, and we need to pay extra attention going forward.”
Regarding midfielder Romeo Lavia, who was subbed off early with an injury, Maresca said: “It’s a great shame, especially for him. He’s not able to be fit for a long period. Hopefully it’s not a big injury.”
