Andrey Santos plays today? where to watch Qarabag vs Chelsea in the Champions League today

Chelsea takes to the field this Wednesday (5), at 2:45 pm (Brasília time), to face Qarabag at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The clash, valid for the fourth round of the UEFA Champions League league stage, is decisive for the aspirations of both clubs, who have six points in the table and are fighting for a direct place in the round of 16.

The match marks a bold bet by coach Enzo Maresca, who selected the team with a focus on Brazilian youth and talent.

Andrey Santos leads the midfield in the debut of the Brazilian trio

In a demonstration of confidence in young talents, coach Enzo Maresca selected, for the first time this season, the Brazilian trio of players among the starters: Andrey Santos, Estêvão and João Pedro.

Focusing on midfield, Andrey Santos, formerly of Vasco, is the centerpiece of Chelsea’s tactical strategy. The midfielder starts the match with the role of first midfielder, but with the freedom to support the second phase of midfield, being vital both in defensive protection and in the construction of the game. His presence is crucial to dictating the pace of the match and ensuring ball circulation, one of the priorities of Maresca’s scheme.

Chelsea can count on the technique and vigor of Andrey Santos to face a Qarabag team that adopts a compact tactical formation, aiming to make the English offensive transition difficult.  The game will be broadcast live on TNT, on pay TV, and on the streaming HBO Max service.

Challenge in Baku and the importance of victory

The duel in Azerbaijan is a test of Chelsea’s consistency away from home, where the team has not yet won in this edition of the Champions League. The victory is essential for the London club, which is looking for nine points to solidify its position in the table and get closer to the G-8, a group that guarantees a direct place in the round of 16.

Listing confirmed

Qarabag, in turn, is trying to break a negative record against English teams, with seven consecutive defeats and a goal drought in the last six games. However, the Azerbaijani team, coached by Gurban Gurbanov, arrives buoyed by two victories in the league phase and is betting on the speed of its attackers and the strength of the home crowd.

The lineup with the Brazilian trio of Andrey Santos, Estêvão and João Pedro (who plays as an attacking midfielder) indicates that Chelsea will seek intense control of ball possession, with the creativity of their young players exploring the wings against the opponent’s high marking.