Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has pointed to the gruelling Club World Cup schedule as the primary culprit behind his team's lacklustre display against Qarabag in the Champions League. The Blues laboured to a narrow victory that exposed clear signs of fatigue among the squad.
The Italian tactician didn't mince words when analysing his team's performance, highlighting the immense physical toll of international tournament travel. "When you compete in competitions like the Club World Cup, the recovery process becomes incredibly challenging," Maresca explained in his post-match assessment.
Travelling Takes Its Toll
Chelsea's jet-setting campaign saw them crisscrossing continents in pursuit of silverware, leaving little time for proper preparation between fixtures. The manager emphasised that this relentless schedule directly impacted their ability to perform at peak levels against the Azerbaijani side.
"The players gave everything they had," Maresca stated, "but when you're operating on limited recovery time, it shows in the sharpness and intensity of your play."
Narrow Escape in Europe
Despite fielding a strong starting eleven, Chelsea struggled to impose their usual dominance against Qarabag, creating nervous moments for the Stamford Bridge faithful. The performance raised questions about squad depth and the long-term effects of competing on multiple fronts.
Key talking points from the match:
- Visible fatigue among Chelsea's attacking players
- Defensive lapses that nearly proved costly
- Concerns about fixture congestion affecting performance
- The challenge of balancing domestic and European ambitions
Looking Ahead
With crucial Premier League fixtures looming, Maresca faces the difficult task of rotating his squad while maintaining competitive edge. The Chelsea boss acknowledged that managing player workload would be crucial to their success across all competitions.
The narrow victory serves as a stark reminder of the physical demands modern football places on top clubs, particularly those competing for honours both domestically and internationally.
