Enzo Maresca Faces Pressure After Chelsea’s Draw with Qarabag
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is under increasing pressure following the Blues' inconsistent start to the season. A 2-2 draw against Qarabag in Azerbaijan on Wednesday ended any early momentum and left Chelsea in a difficult spot in the Champions League. They currently stand 12th in their group ahead of a challenging match against Barcelona later this month.
Mixed Performances in Premier League
While Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham was well-earned, Chelsea have dropped points in half of their ten league games so far. This has made it hard for Maresca’s side to keep up with league leaders Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Squad Rotation Backfires
Maesca planned to rest several key players by making seven changes for the Qarabag fixture, but injuries soon disrupted his strategy. Romeo Lavia's injury just eight minutes in, combined with going 2-1 down at halftime, forced Maresca to rely on his main players earlier than expected.
Signs of Strength on the Wings
Goals from Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho indicate improvement in Chelsea’s wide positions. However, their overall performance was fragmented, especially considering they defeated Qarabag 10-0 on aggregate during the 2017/18 season.
"Chelsea are back in the doldrums after a disappointing result against Qarabag."
"Goals from Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho suggest Chelsea are getting stronger in wide positions."
Outlook
With pressure mounting, Maresca faces a vital challenge in stabilizing the team ahead of Saturday’s game against Wolves.
Summary: Enzo Maresca must quickly address Chelsea’s unstable form as persistent injuries and inconsistent results put their Champions League and Premier League campaigns at risk.