Enzo Maresca defended his decision to make wholesale changes after Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Qarabag in the Champions League.

Alejandro Garnacho's second-half strike ensured Chelsea avoided a stunning defeat, after Qarabag had flipped the script.

Leandro Andrade and Marko Jankovic both scored in the first half to take a surprise half-time lead after coming from behind following Estevao's early goal.

As such, Chelsea have failed to win either of their first two away games in the Champions League this term (D1 L1), doing so for the fifth time.

They have also conceded at least two goals in three of their last four games in all competitions, as many times as in their prior eight matches.

Maresca made seven changes from Chelsea's win over Tottenham on Saturday for their trip to Baku, but insisted the biggest problem was their lack of a cutting edge in front of goal, having hit the target with just four of their 16 shots.

"The intention [of the changes] is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one," Maresca said.

"We started the right way, scored the goal, but then we conceded two, the first one when they had 10 players. We can avoid both goals. In their box, we need to be more clinical.

"We were much better in the second half. Every game is a chance for them [the second-string players] to show why they are here.

"The intention was to rest Moises [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Malo [Gusto] and more players. They are not able to play every three days.

"The Club World Cup affected a lot. We tried to rotate. When we win, nobody mentions that, but when we don't, everyone is focused on that."

It was a game to forget for Jorrel Hato, who misjudged a long ball that gave Qarabag the chance for their opener and blocked a cross with an outstretched arm to give away the penalty, which Jankovic converted.

"The big difference was inside the box," Maresca added when asked about the mistakes.

"They are silly goals to concede. In their box, we have not been clinical enough. This is the big difference for me.

"Jorrel, like the team, started very good, and then we started to do some mistakes. We need to improve and avoid."