Chelsea Embark on Epic 5,000-Mile Journey for High-Stakes Champions League Battle on Familiar Ground
Chelsea have become familiar with challenging eastward journeys in their pursuit of European glory throughout the last ten years.
The Blues will embark on another expedition to the far reaches of UEFA territory this Wednesday night, undertaking a 5,000-mile round journey to Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, where they'll face Qarabağ in their Champions League league phase encounter.
The voyage to the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium requires roughly six hours of flight time, with an additional six-hour return journey to London. They'll be eager to bring back three valuable points alongside their belongings this Wednesday night.
Chelsea's clash with Qarabağ begins at 5:45 p.m. GMT (12:45 p.m. ET, 9:45 a.m. ET), though for spectators within the 31,000-capacity venue, kickoff occurs at 9:45 p.m. A substantial Chelsea contingent at the stadium seems unlikely, with any traveling supporters automatically earning devoted fan credentials, and their opponents shouldn't be taken lightly.
Chelsea Face Difficulties On and Off the Pitch
The remarkably-named Gurban Gurbanov has orchestrated an outstanding start to Qarabağ's European journey. Defeating Ireland's Shelbourne, North Macedonia's Shkëndija and Hungary's Ferencváros on their path to the league phase, the Azerbaijani side have already accumulated the same point total as Chelsea.
A remarkable 3–2 triumph over Benfica witnessed them bounce back from falling behind twice within the first 16 minutes to secure their inaugural Champions League victory beyond qualifying rounds, ultimately leading to Bruno Lage's dismissal in Lisbon. They backed up this major upset with success against Copenhagen, who found their own journey to Baku challenging.
A setback at Athletic Club during their latest European venture hasn't diminished their confidence, with Qarabağ entering a demanding stretch featuring visits to Napoli and Liverpool, plus home fixtures against Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt. Playing at home could be crucial to their league phase ambitions.
Happy Memories for Chelsea in Baku
Baku, situated as the world's lowest national capital at 28 metres below sea level, represents familiar ground for Chelsea, though. The Blues traveled to this city during the 2017–18 Champions League group stage, confronting Qarabağ at the considerably larger Olympic Stadium and heading back to west London with a commanding 4–0 triumph in their possession.
Chelsea undertook another demanding expedition to Baku two years afterward, this occasion with silverware at stake. Baku's Olympic Stadium served as the venue for the 2019 Europa League final between the Blues and their bitter London adversaries Arsenal, with another four-goal performance in Azerbaijan delivering the trophy for then-manager Maurizio Sarri.
However, Enzo Maresca's Blues have ventured even greater distances in UEFA competitions. During the previous season's Europa Conference League league phase, Chelsea completed the 7,000-mile round journey to face Astana in Almaty, Kazakhstan, requiring a total of 16 hours of air travel. Thankfully, Maresca's squad has escaped a similar expedition this year, with Champions League newcomers Kairat Almaty avoided in the fixture list.
Chelsea's Italian manager will undoubtedly seize the chance to rest and rotate players on Wednesday. Similar to his approach in the Astana victory, Maresca will field a modified and possibly youth-heavy starting eleven, though he possesses greater squad depth this campaign.
"We must rotate," stated Maresca before the match, considering Chelsea's upcoming weekend fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. "We return to London early morning. It's a grueling schedule, but we'll attempt to adjust."
Adjustment is essential in Baku, which houses roughly 25% of Azerbaijan's entire population and has gained the moniker 'City of Winds.' Set pieces and long throws, which the Premier League has become known for this season, could serve as valuable tools in Maresca's tactical approach.
Chelsea will undoubtedly anticipate not just victory, but a dominant performance on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Blues' mental concentration will face its greatest challenge during their travels, with few Champions League journeys more demanding than facing Qarabağ.