Chelseavs.Noah

The Blues head into Thursday's fixture sitting in fourth position in the Premier League table, an acceptable return for Maresca's opening 10 games in charge.

However, the Italian has made the decision to frequently rotate his players for games in cup competitions, sometimes making as many as 11 changes.

That has not prevented Chelsea from beginning the League Phase of their European competition with back-to-back victories over Gent and Panathinaikos.

On each occasion, the West Londoners netted four goals to stamp their authority in a tournament that they are expected to win come the end of the season.

Nevertheless, Maresca is of the opinion that Chelsea are continually facing difficult tests given the level of opposition and circumstances.

Prior to this season, FC Noah had never won a European tie, the two in question taking place in the first qualifying round of the Europa League and Conference League.

In sharp contrast during 2024-25, the Armenian side have come through four ties - including versus AEK Athens - to compete in the main stages against the odds.

While Maresca has acknowledged that he has prepared his players for the challenge of facing Rui Mota's side, he feels that playing minnows brings its own disadvantages.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Maresca said: "In the last two or three days, we have watched different games from them and I said many times, in the Conference League it is a bit tricky because everyone against us wants the game. We need to be ready tactically but also mentally.

He added: "It is a team that in their country, they play different shapes so we don't know how they will come here and play.

"We try to be ready. In today's football, you can find a good player, a good squad, a good manager everywhere, not only in the most important league in Europe or the world. In this kind of country, you can find important things and for sure, they have some good players also."

More changes expected

Maresca could again make 11 changes to his starting lineup for this game, albeit with Jadon Sancho remaining sidelined having picked up a knock in training.

On his team selection, Maresca said: ""We don't make changes because of the big game (against Arsenal) on Sunday.

"Since we start, we make changes because we have 24, 25 players, all fit and all good enough to play different competitions. This is the reason why we are making changes."

During the media briefing, Maresca also provided an update on the knee injury sustained by Cole Palmer against Manchester United on Sunday.