Having been mocked on their debut within the Champions League group stage eight years in the past, Azerbaijani aspect Qarabag have proved a shock bundle on this season’s competitors.
They misplaced 6-0 at Chelsea and 4-0 at house in that troublesome 2017-18 marketing campaign, claiming simply two factors from a gaggle that includes Atletico Madrid and Roma, and incomes the derisory nickname “service bag”.
Qarabag have since discovered their ft in Europe and, having matched Chelsea’s six factors from a attainable 9 within the first three league part matches, they must be taken extra severely 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 primary stage with an outstanding comeback success at Benfica, successful 3-2 after being 2-0 down and prompting the Portuguese aspect to sack Bruno Lage and appoint Jose Mourinho.
Qarabag then beat Copenhagen 2-0 at house earlier than going a aim up at Spanish aspect Athletic Membership, however shedding 3-1.
They’ve tripled their aim haul from the 2017-18 marketing campaign, elevating hopes amongst supporters they will proceed to defy expectations.
Ought to Gurban Gurbanov’s aspect 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 take a look at, particularly given the nine-hour spherical journey to Baku and four-hour time distinction.
“To be trustworthy, they’re an excellent group,” he stated. “Nicely organised, very intense in the way in which they press and work collectively as a group, 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 robust particularly as a result of they’re at house.
“We are going to arrive [back in London] on Thursday at 6am within the morning, We’ve got a recreation on Saturday night time and should adapt.”
Nevertheless, beating English opposition in Europe has been to date unimaginable 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 stated: “Sadly, we’ve not overwhelmed English opposition as a result of the Premier League is the highest stage, the strongest league on the earth.
“Qarabag has developed lots [since last facing Chelsea] however the hole [between the clubs] remains to be harmful. We’ve got to have the ability to stand on our ft, play our soccer, combat and have an incredible 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.”
