Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia had only just returned to fitness and Enzo Maresca was easing him back into the team gently, but the Belgian could now be set for another spell on the sidelines in what is a frustrating blow.
Chelsea’s Champions League campaign continued on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-2 draw away to Qarabag, a result that leaves the Blues frustrated but relieved after squandering a 1-0 lead and facing a difficult fightback against the Azerbaijani minnows.
chelsea
Maresca's side started brightly and took an early lead through teenage sensation Estevao after dominating possession and probing Qarabag’s defence.
However, just before halftime, Qarabag stunned Chelsea by turning the game on its head. The visitors struggled to contain Qarabag’s growing threat, and they capitalised with two goals in quick succession. Qarabag’s first equaliser came from a well-placed finish, and 10 minutes later, a second goal from the penalty spot put them unexpectedly 2-1 ahead at the break.
The swift turnaround rattled Chelsea, with the home side taking advantage of poor defensive lapses.
Qarabağ 2-2 Chelsea - best players Match Rating
Estevao 8.2
Alejandro Garnacho 7.5
Leandro Andrade 7.4
Matheus Silva 7.0
Marko Jankovic 7.0
via WhoScored
Luckily for the west Londoners, half-time substitute Alejandro Garnacho was quickly on hand to spare their blushes with a clinical finish into the bottom corner just minutes after the restart. Estevao, Enzo Fernández and Facuno Buonanotte all made attempts to win the game for Chelsea, with Garnacho also seeing an added-time effort saved from inside the area.
It was close but no cigar for Chelsea who ended up sharing the spoils, and Garnacho saved them from what would have been an historic loss, as no English team has ever lost to the Azerbaijani side before.
It was an evening of serious reflection for Maresca, who watched on as his side struggled defensively yet again amid reports that Chelsea are prioritising the signing of a centre-back in January.
The occasion was also marred by yet another injury blow for Lavia.
The 21-year-old was given his first starts of the season against Nottingham Forest and Ajax recently as Maresca slowly edged him back into the fold after his recovery from a muscle strain. Chelsea's boss handed Lavia the nod again at Qarabag, but Lavia was hauled off after just eight minutes with what looks like a quadricep injury.
"We feel a shame for him, especially for him," Maresca said in his post-match press conference.
“He's not able to be fit for a long, long period. We will see now. It's too early to understand what kind of injury. I think it's his quad.”
Going by the player's own reaction, Lavia's latest injury might not be minor.
What Roméo Lavia did moments after being taken off against Qarabağ
The Belgium international looked in visible disarray after being taken off against Qarabağ.
Lavia was spotted throwing a water bottle in anger as he made his way for Chelsea treatment, and given how much action he's missed since joining Chelsea, this could also be put down to pure frustration on his part.
The midfielder, who was signed for around £58 million from Southampton in 2023, missed almost all of his debut season - bar 32 minutes against Crystal Palace - with ankle and hamstring problems. He was forced to sit out a grand total of 226 days last term as well, with Maresca and supporters now anxiously waiting for a more definitive update on his condition.
It's a crying shame for a player who Maresca branded one of world football's "best midfielders" when fit and available, but his patches of readiness to play are simply too few and far between.
"When he is fit, he is one of the best midfielders. He can defend very well, he can attack, he can break the line and pass between the lines," Maresca said in April.
"I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was Under-23 coach at Manchester City, so I know him very well. For us, it was like Reece James. They are both top players.
"The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them. We need to protect them, but there is no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo is a better team."
For BlueCo and the board, an uncomfortable conversation may need to be had soon.