Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea: Young Chelsea side tested all the way in Baku

Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to guide Chelsea to a point in Azaerbaijan as Qarabag continued their impressive early-season start in the Champions League.

The Blues were trailing at the break as Qarabag tested their young defence time and again but Enzo Maresca’s changes were key as Chelsea bossed the second half.

Garnacho came on to score and on the other wing Estevao was again impressive throughout.

Midfielder Romeo Lavia was handed a start but had to come off inside eight minutes after going down with an apparent muscle injury.

He was replaced by Moises Caicedo in the earliest sub Chelsea have ever had to make in a Champions League game.

Maresca would have wanted to rest Caicedo but will have been pleased with his side’s early dominance.

Andrey Santos poked wide when he perhaps should have scored after a strong run into the area from Caicedo.

And Santos then found Estevao inside the area after a swift counter-attack and the exciting youung Brazilian lashed home at the near post.

Victory would have given Chelsea three wins in their first four games in the Champions League but they conceded a goal to Qarabag’s first attack.

Camilo Duran hit the post after a great run and Leandro Andrade reacted well to volley in the rebound.

Jorrel Hato was weak in the challenge for that opener and then conceded a penalty for handball, which was buried by Marko Jankovic.

Maresca sent on Garnacho, Liam Delap and Enzo Fernandez at the break and the changes made the difference. Garnacho’s cool finish saw him become the first player to score in the Champions League for two Premier League clubs before the age of 21.

Chelsea had plenty of chances to win it but a point here could prove a good result as Qarabag showed they are no mugs.