Enzo Maresca press conference: Qarabag vs Chelsea

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Enzo Maresca press conference: Qarabag vs Chelsea

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Wednesday’s Champions League game against Qarabag (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Pedro Neto has “just a small issue” that Chelsea need to protect so he will not be involved in Wednesday’s game. Maresca added that there would not be any other players left at home.
On if there is a need to rotate the squad for this match, with the logistics of it taking place in Azerbaijan: “It is an important game. It can give us three wins in a row in Champions League, nine points, so very important. We will probably need to rotate some of the players, also because I think we come back to London on Thursday morning at 06:00, then have game on Saturday. A demanding schedule but we will try our best.”
He added the reason they were leaving it late to travel is because of wanting to use facilities at home for recovery after beating Tottenham, so finding the “balance is important”, and they would also remain on UK time.
Maresca said it is “unbelievable” to have a manager in charge for 17 years like Qarabag have and that they will be a “tough” opponent as they are a “very good and intense team” with a similar record in this season’s competition to Chelsea.
On where Reece James is physically after his injury issues in recent seasons: “He is good, doing well. Fit, 100%. The way he behaves every game is top, even when not playing, in the changing room with team-mates. I think he is ready to play three games in a week. It depends also on how we use Reece, too. Not always up and down [the wing]. It is a big job for anyone so we need to protect him like others in that way.”
Asked about Romeo Lavia’s fitness, with him still to play 90 minutes for the Blues, Maresca responded: “The main target [for Lavia] is to be fit. Don’t get any injury. In this moment, for me, he is where Reece was more or less one year ago, in terms of back after a long time, managing minutes.”
On whether Cole Palmer could be ready for their next Champions League game against Barcelona after the international break: “We hope so. With Cole we try to schedule at the beginning, but we needed to review so we go day by day with Cole. He’s still apart, not training with the team.”
He added: “I would like Cole every game. I have said before we are a better team with him. Unfortunately he is out injured, but we hope he will be back soon.”