Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia had to leave the pitch early during the match against Qarabag at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium on Wednesday night due to a suspected muscle injury. The 21-year-old was replaced by teammate Moises Caicedo in what was supposed to be a significant match as part of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League engagement.
Prior to the game, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had provided an optimistic update on Lavia’s health, mentioning the importance of managing his fitness following recent injury setbacks. “The main target for Romeo now is to be fit,” Maresca stated. “We need to manage him every minute, every day, every second.” He emphasized the delicate balance of allowing Lavia to regain his form while also sidestepping potential injuries.
Lavia’s journey back to form has been gradual. After missing the start of the season, he made his debut against Brighton, followed by a notable performance in Chelsea’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Liverpool. As he approached full fitness, Maresca increased his involvement in matches, giving him significant playing time in both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
Maresca expressed satisfaction with Lavia’s progress and the skill level he brings to the game, hinting that Chelsea has high hopes for the young midfielder once he returns to full fitness. “We are happy with Romeo. We want to keep him fit so that he can enjoy being a football player,” he commented.
Despite the setback with Lavia, Maresca praised Qarabag’s capabilities, citing their strong performances in the league phase of the Champions League and highlighting the team’s resilience and intensity, particularly during home matches. Coupled with Maresca’s cautious optimism for Lavia’s recovery, Chelsea’s supporters remain hopeful for a turnaround in the team’s fortunes.