“This is an important game. We can extend our winning streak to three. We have a tough schedule, but we will do our best,” said Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca at a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League group stage fourth-round match against Qarabag in Baku, reports Idman.Biz.
The 45-year-old manager praised Qarabag as a strong team: “They beat Benfica and Copenhagen, and played well against Athletic Bilbao. Our match against them will certainly be challenging. They have had the same coach for 17 years — I have never seen anything like it. They play even stronger at home. It’s not about being the favorite, but about how we approach the details of the game.”
Maresca also provided updates on key players: “We hope Cole Palmer will fully recover before the match against Barcelona. He is still not training with the team. Benoa Badiasile could play after the international break, which is great news for us. Pedro Neto will not be able to play in Baku.”
Explaining why the team will not train in Baku and why the press conference was held in London, he added: “This is due to our tight schedule. After a tough match against Tottenham, it was important to stay at our base. We are trying to maintain a balance between preparation and recovery.”
