CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY

The world of football was not conspicuous for big names in the winter transfer period. Most teams tried to invite players with the status of free agents (i.e. not bound by a contract with any club), whereas major transfers were left for summer. Nevertheless, the winter transfer window of the Azerbaijani championship was marked with a noteworthy transfer. FC Qabala signed up Marat Izmaylov, one of the former stars of the Russian national team and FC Porto's player, who was rented until the end of the season. At first, Izmayilov avoided speaking with the press, but after his debut in the new club, he agreed to answer R+ questions about his coming to Azerbaijan and his career.

- In the first half of the season, you, as a Porto player, played for as little as 27 minutes in a single game. Portuguese media reported that you might finish your career altogether. What was the reason for that?

- I was released from training on the permission of Porto's management. This had to do with my personal affairs, and the club gave me time to solve my own problems. Nobody expected, however, that the period without training and playing would be so protracted. At that time, different thoughts came to my mind but I kept reminding myself that football was my life. Presently, I'm not prepared to think seriously about retirement. I am grateful to Porto and Qabala. These clubs have given me a chance to return to football. Much now depends on whether or not I will play at a high level.

- Does it mean that you have not had such a chance in Porto?

- The club wanted to give me a chance. However, a footballer gets into shape in the process of playing, and it was difficult for me to rely on a large amount of playing time in Porto. If I had stayed in Portugal, I would have spent little time playing, and I wanted to be on the pitch. I know it will not be easy in Azerbaijan either, as I understood from the first training that the city of Qabala had a good team.

- What can you say about your meeting with Yuri Semin [FC Qabala's head coach - Ed.], under whose management you played in FC Locomotive Moscow?

- Yuri Semin is like a father to us. Almost every player who played under him can vouch for this. But our relationship as a coach and a player has remained the same as ten years ago.

- If it were not for Semin, would you consider playing for FC Qabala?

- Let us be realistic. Semin is now the coach of FC Qabala. I can say for certain that he played a major role in this issue and the transfer had been agreed upon within half a day. We had a discussion on the phone and an hour later I was handed a ticket for the morning flight to Baku.

- Did you give much thought to it?

- Well, I made a decision at once as I missed football badly. No less important was the fact that Semin knew me as a person and as a player. Hence, I agreed immediately. What bothered me? The condition of the club's fields and base. That was the only issue that I clarified with Semin. However, the coach convinced me that there were no problems with these issues in Azerbaijan, and I decided to go.

- Has Semin changed much in the past ten years?

- I have only been with the team for some 10-15 days, so it is difficult for me to compare. But I have already noticed a small change: Semin has become more European in his approaches.

- In what ways?

- He uses more football terms. The training in Qabala is not much different from my usual trainings in Porto and Sporting.

- What are your impressions of Baku and Qabala?

- I have not seen much as yet. Now I am focused on rehabilitation and training and have not had an opportunity to tour the city. However, on my way from the airport to the club, I have got an impression that Baku is similar to European cities.

- Will you live in the club's base or rent an apartment?

- The whole team lives in a five-star hotel. One can choose to live in a cottage on the hotel territory but I have opted for hotel accommodation.

- Have you acquainted yourself with FC Qabala's game schedule and position in the championship?

- I have not seen the schedule. It does not matter who to play with. The only thing I want is that the games take place as often as possible. I know that every game is special as we are competing for the title with Qarabag and Neftci. I can say that the "gold" points are at stake in every game.

- Your experience allows you to go on the pitch in every game…

- I get prepared every day but everything depends on the coach. As regards my physical form, I would like to play better, to put it mildly. However, if the coach trusts me, I will certainly do my best on the pitch.

- What position will you play at?

- I don't think this will come as a surprise to me: I can play either as the right or left midfielder or behind the strikers - it will be one of these three options.

- Was a financial issue of special importance in your decision to come to Azerbaijan?

- I have not come here for money. When the question of renting me to Qabala was raised, the financial issue was in the umpteenth place. For me, the main thing now is to help the team win the championship and the cup, and for me personally - to return to my former level of playing.

- Your coming to Azerbaijan was a surprise for many.

- As I said, everything happened very quickly. Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of football. The last game between the national teams of Azerbaijan and Russia showed changes for the better. There are several well-known footballers playing in Azerbaijan, so my coming here is quite normal.

- If Qabala offers you a contract at the end of the season, what will be your decision?

- First of all, I need to prove myself. I will do everything for Qabala to win the championship. The odds are high now. And I will try to regain my ideal shape. I have to contribute to the team's victory. I really want us to finish the season with the title. It will be great if we become champions. After that, it will be in order to discuss my future - whether I stay here or not.

ABOUT HIM

Marat Izmaylov was born on 21 September 1982 in Moscow. He studied at the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture. In 1999, as a Torpedo Moscow player, he won the championship of Russia among the players born in 1982 and was awarded the title of top scorer.

In the spring of 2000, Izmaylov was transferred to Locomotive Moscow. Playing for that team, he won the Russian championship in 2002 and 2004, then the bronze medals in 2005 and 2006. He also won the Super Cup of Russia in 2003 and 2005 and the Commonwealth Cup in 2005.

In 2007, Izmaylov joined Sporting, Portugal, and won the country's Cup and Super Cup in that same season. He spent six seasons playing for Sporting, then moved to Porto early in 2013 and won the Portuguese championship with Porto in the same year. 

As a member of the Russian national team, Izmaylov played in 34 games and scored two goals. In particular, he played for Russia at the final stage of the 2002 World Cup and in the European Championships in 2004 and 2012.