The past week has provided quite a contrast for the Blues in a series of back-to-back away fixtures. After the glamour of the UEFA Champions League at Bayern Munich’s thoroughly modern Allianz Arena to facing old Premier League foes Manchester United in front of a 75,000-strong crowd at Old Trafford.

Then, at the other end of the spectrum, came Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup tie in the tight confines of the LNER Stadium, where we were greeted by a hostile reception from a League One team and home fans determined to take a top-flight scalp and create a historic cup upset.

They certainly made us work hard for our victory and took the lead in the first half, forcing the Blues to dig deep in Lincoln. After two quickfire goals by Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte had turned the match around to book our progress into the fourth round, Maresca explained what makes these games such a different challenge to the one most of his squad are used to.

‘Sometimes it’s about desire, it’s about winning the second ball, but it’s also about experience and I know that some of the players haven’t played in this kind of game,’ said Maresca.

‘Jamie Gittens had never played against League One teams in this kind of game. Jorrel [Hato] had never played in this kind of game.

‘In these kinds of games you have to play in a different way. It is more about desire. It’s not the same game, you need to play a different kind of game.

‘The desire is double from the other team in the duels and these kinds of things. It’s not about quality, it’s about desire, it’s about winning the second ball.’

Gittens and Hato were just two of the players in the line-up at Lincoln who were getting their first taste of the unique atmosphere and challenge of an English cup tie against lower-division opponents.

Maresca went on to explain it was a new experience for many members of this Chelsea team, but an important one, ensuring they know what to expect and will be better prepared the next time we visit a Football League club for a knockout game.

‘We had five or six players who had never played this kind of game before. I asked them before the game in the team meeting how many had, because you have to play a different game.

‘If the next game in the Carabao Cup is again away against a team in League One or League Two, for sure last night’s experience will be good for the next one.

‘So we needed this experience, because of the age and experience of the players who have never played this kind of game before. So last night was good.

‘Many of them had never played this kind of game so they needed the experience and last night was a great experience, also because we won the game.’

We will learn the identity of those next Carabao Cup opponents this evening, when the draw for the fourth round is held following the conclusion of Arsenal’s match at Port Vale (8pm kick-off), and we will bring you the news on that fixture as soon as it is confirmed.