"RIGHT AFTER KLOSE'S CALL..."

One of the many issues facing Azerbaijani football is the scarcity of domestic players in foreign clubs. Footballers who earn well at home often show little interest in pursuing opportunities abroad. There are two primary reasons for this. Firstly, high competition abroad makes it quite challenging to secure playing time. On the other hand, foreign clubs generally do not prioritize transferring Azerbaijani footballers.

The only exception to this trend is Mahir Emreli, the forward from FC Garabagh. He began his career as a legionnaire with Polish club Legia before being loaned to Dinamo Zagreb. His time in Croatia did not unfold as he had hoped, and Emreli recently transferred to Nuremberg, a team in Germany's second league.

Given the importance of this issue, Region Plus decided to interview the footballer regarding his transfer, life, and work abroad.

"How difficult is it to live and play football in Germany?"

"First of all, I must say that playing in Germany, a country renowned for football, is enjoyable and prestigious. When I became interested in Nuremberg, I discovered that the team has ambitious goals. Additionally, the head coach is the famous footballer Miroslav Klose. After he reached out to me, I made my final decision to move. They were persistent about it, even though I was injured."

"Both Nüremberg’s head coach Klose and the German media speak highly of you. That indicates they believe in you."

"Klose is a legendary footballer and one of the top scorers in World Cup history. Therefore, it is a tremendous honor and responsibility to play under his guidance. From the moment I arrived, I felt supported by both the players and the club management. They provided me with all the assistance necessary to adapt as quickly as possible."

"What are the conditions at Nüremberg?"

"Don't let the Second Bundesliga mislead anyone. There are 7-8 leagues of competition here. Nuremberg is one of the most successful clubs in the country after Bayern. The facilities and pitch are excellent. It is a pleasure for a footballer to train and play here. The support that fans provide at every game creates a truly unique atmosphere."

"What are the club's chances of promotion to the Bundesliga?"

"There are plenty of chances. We are only 7 points behind the leader, although we currently sit in 11th place. In a few weeks, there will be opportunities to enhance our game’s productivity. In my view, we will demonstrate our ambitions until the last round."

"What about the competition in the Second Bundesliga?"

"It is a tough tournament. There are no weak opponents; even the team at the bottom can take points from the leader. Training sessions are extremely demanding for players. In my career, I have never experienced such challenging training sessions as those here. Every match takes place in a large stadium in front of thousands of fans. The support from fans is incredibly motivating to win. I am very pleased to have Germany on my record."

"Why don’t Azerbaijani footballers go abroad? What do you believe is the main reason for this?"

"It's difficult to judge. Various factors contribute to this situation. When I played in Croatia, circumstances beyond my control prompted me to move to another country. However, every club leaves its mark on your career. Playing abroad is not easy; you must be away from your family, and it requires patience and strength to navigate everything. Not everyone can manage that. My family visits me often, which helps prevent boredom. I believe my best performances in Germany are still ahead of me."

"What encouraged you to leave the Croatian club?"

"Such things happen in football... I do not see any problems within myself; I have always tried to give my all on the field and showcase my best abilities. After a coaching change, the club's dynamics shifted, yet I still found myself not getting on the pitch. In certain matches, I played in various positions and endeavored to follow the coach's instructions."

"Do you follow Azerbaijani football from Germany?"

"Of course I do. I closely monitor the progress of the national championship. I also watch Garabagh's games in European competitions. I receive numerous messages of support from Azerbaijan. I hope to bring joy to fans with goals soon, especially after regaining my form following my injury."