Having been mocked on their debut within the Champions League group stage eight years in the past, Azerbaijani facet Qarabag have proved a shock bundle on this season’s competitors.
They misplaced 6-0 at Chelsea and 4-0 at residence in that tough 2017-18 marketing campaign, claiming simply two factors from a bunch that includes Atletico Madrid and Roma, and incomes the derisory nickname “service bag”.
Qarabag have since discovered their toes in Europe and, having matched Chelsea’s six factors from a attainable 9 within the first three league section matches, they should be taken extra critically in Wednesday’s assembly in Baku (KO 17:45).
Having typically faltered within the qualifying rounds of the competitors, they gained a dramatic first win in the principle stage with an outstanding comeback success at Benfica, profitable 3-2 after being 2-0 down and prompting the Portuguese facet to sack Bruno Lage and appoint Jose Mourinho.
Qarabag then beat Copenhagen 2-0 at residence earlier than going a aim up at Spanish facet Athletic Membership, however shedding 3-1.
They’ve tripled their aim haul from the 2017-18 marketing campaign, elevating hopes amongst supporters they’ll proceed to defy expectations.
Ought to Gurban Gurbanov’s facet beat Chelsea, it could be Qarabag’s most notable win of their 2 hundredth European match.
Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca is conscious it is a difficult check, particularly given the nine-hour spherical journey to Baku and four-hour time distinction.
“To be sincere, they’re an excellent staff,” he mentioned. “Effectively organised, very intense in the way in which they press and work collectively as a staff, you possibly can see that it is many, a few years they work with the identical supervisor, 17 years, it’s unbelievable. It is going to be powerful particularly as a result of they’re at residence.
“We are going to arrive [back in London] on Thursday at 6am within the morning, Now we have a sport on Saturday night time and must adapt.”
Nonetheless, beating English opposition in Europe has been thus far not possible for Qarabag, having not even drawn a match in seven makes an attempt. scoring as soon as and conceding 21 in defeats by Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.
When requested by BBC Sport, Qarabag supervisor Gurbanov mentioned: “Sadly, we’ve not crushed English opposition as a result of the Premier League is the highest degree, the strongest league on the planet.
“Qarabag has developed quite a bit [since last facing Chelsea] however the hole [between the clubs] continues to be harmful. Now we have to have the ability to stand on our toes, play our soccer, combat and have an amazing match for our followers. Any win could be good for us.
“Welcoming Chelsea to Baku is an effective achievement for us and can assist develop this small soccer nation.”
