Chelsea dropped points in their Champions League game against Qarabag, and Enzo Maresca will get a lot of the blame for it.
The Blues were able to take the lead through Estevao Willian, who scored a fine goal in just the 16th minute.
By doing so, Estevao made Champions League history, becoming the first 18-year-old South American to score in back-to-back games in the competition.
However, not all of Chelsea’s young players were able to shine at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on the touchline
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea put out the second-youngest team ever in a Champions League away match after Arsenal
Maresca fielded a very inexperienced side that included the likes of Estevao, Tyrique George and Andrey Santos.
In fact, according to Opta, it was the second-youngest team ever to be put out in a Champions League away fixture with an average age of 23 years and 97 days.
Only Arsenal, who were being managed by Arsene Wenger, have deployed a younger starting XI in the competition.
Unfortunately for Maresca, the youth approach did not work, with Jorrel Hato particularly struggling.
The 19-year-old found it tough in defence, giving away a penalty towards the end of the first half. Had it not been for Alejandro Garnacho’s equaliser, Hato would have really cost his team.
With Benoit Badiashile out injured, Chelsea fans have been calling for Hato to start at the heart of the Blues’ backline.
Maresca listened, but his decision to go with youth over experience has cost the Blues on this occasion.
Jorrel Hato during Qarabag vs Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea still had more than enough to win against Qarabag
It would not be fair to criticise Maresca too much. The Chelsea manager has a big squad and needs to rotate to keep everyone happy.
Even after all of the changes that Maresca made, there was still enough quality for Chelsea to pick up all three points.
In the second half, Garnacho, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were also introduced to the game. By the time the full-time whistle went, the Club World Cup winners had a very strong XI on the pitch.