Having been mocked on their debut within the Champions League group stage eight years in the past, Azerbaijani aspect Qarabag have proved a shock bundle on this season’s competitors.

They misplaced 6-0 at Chelsea and 4-0 at house in that tough 2017-18 marketing campaign, claiming simply two factors from a bunch that includes Atletico Madrid and Roma, and incomes the derisory nickname “provider bag”.

Qarabag have since discovered their ft in Europe and, having matched Chelsea’s six factors from a doable 9 within the first three league section matches, they must be taken extra severely in Wednesday’s assembly in Baku (KO 17:45).

Having typically faltered within the qualifying rounds of the competitors, they gained a dramatic first win in the principle stage with an excellent comeback success at Benfica, profitable 3-2 after being 2-0 down and prompting the Portuguese aspect to sack Bruno Lage and appoint Jose Mourinho.

Qarabag then beat Copenhagen 2-0 at house earlier than going a aim up at Spanish aspect Athletic Membership, however dropping 3-1.

They’ve tripled their aim haul from the 2017-18 marketing campaign, elevating hopes amongst supporters they will proceed to defy expectations.

Ought to Gurban Gurbanov’s aspect beat Chelsea, it could be Qarabag’s most notable win of their 2 hundredth European match.

Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca is conscious this can be a tough check, particularly given the nine-hour spherical journey to Baku and four-hour time distinction.

“To be sincere, they’re an excellent workforce,” he stated. “Nicely organised, very intense in the way in which they press and work collectively as a workforce, you possibly can see that it is many, a few years they work with the identical supervisor, 17 years, it’s unbelievable. It is going to be robust particularly as a result of they’re at house.

“We’ll arrive [back in London] on Thursday at 6am within the morning, We now have a sport on Saturday night time and must adapt.”

Nevertheless, beating English opposition in Europe has been to date not possible for Qarabag, having not even drawn a match in seven makes an attempt. scoring as soon as and conceding 21 in defeats by Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.

When requested by BBC Sport, Qarabag supervisor Gurbanov stated: “Sadly, we’ve not overwhelmed English opposition as a result of the Premier League is the highest stage, the strongest league on the planet.

“Qarabag has developed so much [since last facing Chelsea] however the hole [between the clubs] continues to be harmful. We now have to have the ability to stand on our ft, play our soccer, struggle and have a terrific match for our followers. Any win could be good for us.

“Welcoming Chelsea to Baku is an efficient achievement for us and can assist develop this small soccer nation.”