YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT

The next stage of the qualifying round was successful for the Azerbaijani football clubs. Although Neftchi and Kapaz have sideslipped in the early stages of the qualifying rounds, Garabagh and Gabala once again could reach the group stage of the European cup.

After the return of Kapaz (Ganja) to the big football, many expected a satisfactory performance from the team during the first season. But Shahin Diniyev’s team was lucky: since the bronze medalist of Azerbaijan, Zira, is only two years old and Inter still experiences financial problems, UEFA did not permit both teams to the draw of the European cup. As a result, Kapaz had to start the first season in the Europa League as soon as it returned to the Premier League championship of Azerbaijan, although the financial situation of the club were not favourable to accept such expenses.

In the first round, the Ganja club had to play with quite a renowned Moldovan team, Dacia. But Shahin Diniyev has well-reviewed his opponent. After a goalless draw in Baku, Kapaz could guarantee a victory with a minimum score of 0:1 in Moldova. This result was a shock for Dacia and Kapaz was able to advance to the second stage in spite of the financial problems. However, the Austrian Admira hindered the progress of Diniyev’s team. Ganja lost in both matches - 1:0 outside and 0:2 at home.

The overall performance of Kapaz in the European competition was satisfactory, as the team could finish the first round of European qualifications in the first season.

It should be noted that the famous Neftchi made no better than Kapaz. The team won its first outside game of the season scoring 0:2 with the Maltese team Baltsan and leaving almost no doubt about the winner of the next game in Baku. However, the dreadful game of Veli Gasimov’s team (1:2) would almost lead to a dramatic end, if not the goals scored in the previous game – Neftchi was hardly able to advance to the next stage.

Neftchi could also win the Macedonian Shkëndija but the team have not coped with the task - after a goalless draw in Baku, ‘blacks and whites’ accepted a defeat with a minimum score in the outside game and had to say goodbye to European competition. These matches have shown that Neftchi was not ready for the season. In all games, the line of defense could not fully withstand the attacks and had many errors.

The game of Gabala was a relief for the football fans. Roman Grigorchuk’s team has shown a stable game from the beginning of Europa League. It defeated the Georgian Samtredia (5:1 and 2:1) and then the Hungarian MTK (2:0 and 1:2).

In the third round of qualification tournament, Gabala had to play with a much more powerful opponent, the French club Lille. But here again, Grigorchuk’s tactics and analysis of opponent helped the team succeed. After a draw in France (1:1), Gabala guaranteed a victory in Baku scoring 1:0. In the play-off stage, Grigorchuk’s team confronted the Slovenian Maribor. In Baku, the game ended in favor of owners 3: 1. In the second match, Gabala relaxed and lost at a party with a minimum score, but it was enough to advance to the group stage of the Europa League.

This success was possible thanks to efforts of the coach Roman Grigorchuk, who was able to form a stable composition of players by removing unnecessary team players. Grigorchuk could motivate the players before difficult matches, and this is the second season in a row that he takes his team to the group stage. At the same time, the head coach can also work with a team of new recruits.

The champion of Azerbaijan Garabagh started from the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where it played with Dudelange of Luxembourg. Scoring 2:0 in Baku, Garabagh has drawn the next game - 1: 1. In the next step, the Agdam team confronted the Czech team Victoria. Although Gabala was the favourite of many experts, Gurban Gurbanov’s team could not meet their expectations. After a goalless draw in the previous match, Garabagh could not achieve the desired result in Baku. The team was controlling during most of the match but close to the end of the match Victoria shot the goal after almost its only attack during the whole game.

A draw was beneficial to Victoria, as the goal scored outside made it possible an advance to next round fo qualifications in the Champions League. Garabagh advanced to the play-off stage of the Europa League. After losing to the Swedish Gothenburg (1:0), Garabagh has demonstrated its best game of the season in Baku. The goals scored by Rashad Sadikhov, Muarem Muarem, and Dani Quintana, guaranteed Garabagh a flawless victory (3:0) and advanced her to the group stage for the third consecutive time.

In the group stage of Europa League, Gabala will play with the French Saint-Etienne, the German Mainz 05, and the Belgian Anderlecht. To leave the group, Garabagh will have to contend with the Italian Fiorentina, the Czech Slovan, and the Greek PAOK.

Thus, fans will be able to empathize national teams in the course of European competition up until the end of the year. At the same time, both teams already have sufficient experience of performances in the group stage of the Europa League. So, it's time to think about leaving the group stage and the playoffs.