TRIUMPH OF GARABAGH

It is hard to remember when the champion of Azerbaijan, FC Garabagh, was preparing for the playoff match in such a tense atmosphere. After a defeat in the third stage of the tournament to  Norwegian Molde, Garabagh found itself in a difficult position before the last test in Poland. Fierce battles in Karabakh that began on September 27 increased the responsibility of Garabagh many times. In this situation, it was important for the Aghdam team to return from Warsaw with a victory over the Legia team. In other words, to continue the flow of good news from the front, Garabagh simply had to get qualified for the group stage of the European championship.

The game that took place at the Wojska Polskiego stadium in Warsaw ended with the victory of Garabagh (3:0). The Azerbaijani team scored at the beginning of the second half with a scoring attack. In the 50th minute, Patrick Andrade hit the first goal after a pass from Kvaben to Owus. Continuing to attack, the second time the Aghdam team scored in the 62nd minute. This time Zubir single-handedly left behind the opponents' defenders and outplayed Artur Boruts. The last goal of the match was set in the 70th minute by a powerful blow from Philip Ozobich after a pass from Andrade. Thus, for the seventh time in a row, Garabagh won the right to compete in the group stage of European competitions. It will be the sixth performance of the team at the group stage of the Europa League.

We talked about the victory of Garabagh with the head coach Gurban Gurbanov.

“Was it difficult to take the team to the field amid heavy battles in Garabagh?”

“I think our fans will forgive us for not making it to the next stage after 3-4 years of continuous success. We are well aware of all the responsibility that the name of our club puts on each of us. We try to properly prepare the team for each game. We have played 4 matches in European competition this season: three in the Champions League and one in the Europa League. Apart from the penalty shootout, we have no defeats. We missed only one goal. I think this is a good result. We are finally in the group stage again. In this difficult wartime period, this is an important victory. Immediately after the match, I thanked the players. Their workload was enormous. We felt the responsibility of the game. It was felt in the performance of each player on the field. You could also see it on their faces. As long as there is football, we will always feel this responsibility and workload. For Garabagh it is doubly difficult. Fans always expect us win. We always try to adequately represent Azerbaijan, Garabagh, and our army. Our victory is less important than the dedication of our soldiers these days. How many mothers were left without their sons, many children lost their parents... Although we were fully tuned in to the game, all our thoughts were here, closely following the messages from the front. Anyways, I am proud of my players who have achieved such a result. Before the game we even had a conversation that today there are no legionnaires here, we are all Azerbaijanis. Everyone had to demonstrate on the field that they deserve this name, to show all their skill. Thanks to Allah, the victory was ours that day.”

“We failed to score a goal in the first half, although there were chances. What was the problem?”

“I become especially worried on the eve of the game. I know that I have to be more relaxed and determined. At such moments, I understand the players, I know what they are going through. During a break, I point out to shortcomings, if any. At the same time, I try to be close to my players, so that they feel more confident and relaxed in scoring chances. Sometimes you win without even creating chances. And sometimes you create a lot of scoring chances, but you can't convert them to actual goals. We’ve had this experience many times. We had a lot of chances in both halves. But this is not basketball. We love football because the intrigue lasts until the end of the tournament. This is a feature of football for which we all love it.”

“Even the legionnaires did their best on the field. What did you tell the players before the game?”

“On that day, we have significantly reduced the workload and instructions, so that the players feel more comfortable on the field. Everyone was completely ready. And they actually showed themselves as Azerbaijanis. Demonstrated on the field their love for the country, for the club. It was evident that they had correctly interpreted the information received.”

“Garabagh is qualified now to represent Azerbaijan at the group stage for the seventh time. Do you think this success is of particular importance?”

“I wished the players would not exhaust themselves. Sometimes our desires prevent us from performing well. But they did a great job indeed. Despite the score (3:0), we played with maximum desire and concentration until the last minute. We tried not to create chances for our rival in any episode. This was due to the victories of our army in the real battlefield in Garabagh. Therefore, our victory has a special place.”

“Will it be difficult to compete in the group with the current line-up?”

“Yes, it will. After all, there are matches of the national team, the championship and the Europa League. Although we have a tight schedule, we will try to make the most of the available players.”

“Your rivals are known already: Villarreal (Spain), Maccabi (Israel) and Sivasspor (Turkey). How do you assess the chances of Garabagh?”

“Everyone knows Villarreal very well. It’s one of the best in terms of the championship and in terms of the head coach. We played against Emery's team when he was still working with Arsenal. A demanding coach with a unique playing style. Again, the Spanish team is one of the strongest. Sivasspor is a team that demonstrates a stable game. In the last season, until the last games, it was in the group of leaders. Maccabi is also a serious contender. One of the most titled clubs in its country and last year's champion. We will play with a team from brotherly Turkey. I think the most interesting matches of the group will be the meetings with Sivasspor at home and away. We will try to demonstrate the best football possible. But it is true that the schedule of games is heavy.”

“There is a ceasefire in Garabagh. But FC Garabagh attracts everyone's attention. Leaving the group can bring joy to millions.”

“I have always said that it is not easy to play for Garabagh. And the head coach has a double responsibility. It is a great honor to represent Garabagh. Once in the group stage during this difficult period, we do not consider our mission completed. We will try to achieve the best result in the group as well. In the team, everyone is aware of all the responsibility and will be fully prepared for intense games. Our successful performance encourages us to further raise the sports image of Azerbaijan. Rest assured, we will try our best on the field to bring joy to our army and to our soldiers.”