SET TO FIGHT

In World Cup 2018 qualification matches, the Azerbaijani national football team surprised not only the fans but also the whole of Europe. Having 7 points in the first three games and not conceding goals, the team has become the main topic of discussions in media. While the victory over San Marino was expected, the three points earned in the game with Norway and a draw with the Czech national team impressed even the most optimistic fans.

Then there was a failure in Belfast, when the team lost to Northern Ireland (4:0). Either way, our national team secured the third place in its group and has chances to fight for a way out of the group.

The National Team Coach, Robert Prosinečki, shared his views on the achievements and failures in 2016 and the plans with R+.

- Azerbaijan National team holds the best qualifying round. We have 7 points in 4 games. How do you evaluate the results?

- The success of the national team always makes me happy, no doubt about it. But this increases the responsibility, as the expectations rise as well. A few years ago, a draw with Northern Ireland could be considered a success, but now we have those who speaks about a victory. The game helps the team to regain the lost hopes of fans.

- But in the last game with the national team of Northern Ireland our team did not show the usual style...

- We failed to achieve all intentions and had mistakes. Our opponent had no mercy. Also, do not forget that the majority of players in Northern Ireland play for the English clubs. In football, the only way to achieve the desired result is to show a beautiful game. In Belfast, we could take a point, but failed. Nevertheless, we continue fighting. There is only one favourite team in our group, Germany, and we will fight for the chance to win.

- Were you satisfied with the gameplay of the national team before the Belfast match?

- Our team had good results with Norway even before these three games. I think we showed a good game with a strong Croatian team in Baku. But this is not the final point of our two-year activity. We always strive to achieve more. It is necessary to attract young, promising players to the team, to create a good mood in the team, and to follow the discipline strictly to be successful. When I first came to the team, the main goal was to change the mentality of the game and players. The main problem was that the players were thinking only about not losing to stronger teams with a big score. The most important task was to convince the players to believe in themselves.

- So, it was necessary to change the psychological state of the players, wasn’t it?

- The players must believe in themselves and make sure that they can show a beautiful game in matches with strong teams. Also, it is all about trust in the team and players by everybody – the media, the fans, the whole country. And our players have to justify this trust.

- What has changed in the national team after your arrival?

- I can see good results during my work in Azerbaijan, but it is not only about my arrival. Gabala and Garabagh were able to play in the group stage of the Europa League twice and three times in a row, respectively. We can here see famous teams and players of the Euro League. The Azerbaijani national team has shown good results after three games in the World Cup 2018 qualification matches: two wins and a draw, earning 7 points and ranked the second in the group. It is all due to the development of football in recent years. We are now the third team of the group and can improve our position in the upcoming matches.

- What is the biggest problem of the Azerbaijani football?

- There are a few points that I would like to change. For example, I was watching from the stands the game between Garabagh and Neftchi. I was expecting a full stadium, but there were very few fans. The occupancy of stadiums is often linked to the significance of the opponent. For example, in March 2017, we will have a game with Germany. I am sure the stadium will be filled with fans. I think, a true fan must support his team until the very end of the match, no matter who is the opponent. I would like to feel such support to the national team of Azerbaijan.

The most important point is the availability of talented children, football schools. Azerbaijan has this potential. You can succeed through a diligent work with children. But first of all, we need to find talented children. Azerbaijani football is not using its capabilities in full yet. When I came to the team, I first gave a chance to young and promising players, so they could show their abilities on the field. And they prove the right to stay in the national team with their gameplay and physical form. As far as the club football is concerned, Garabagh has twice been on the verge of reaching the group stage of the Champions League, but they were a bit unlucky. Once again, I note that the participation of Garabagh and Gabala in the group stage of the Euro League shows that there are talented players in Azerbaijan. They just need to work hard to have more success.

- A lot of money is invested in football in Azerbaijan. What about Croatia?

- In Croatia, the national team does not have so much funding. Despite this, our players play in the leading clubs of the world. This is due to a large number of talents. In football, talent is very important. Investments in football in your country are associated with the development plans. Money is a very important factor in the sport. The performance of clubs and the national team gives an incentive to players, and boosts interest in football. AFFA has done a great job building a lot of new fields. This shows that there are no problems with the football infrastructure. I think it will a real achievement if the Azerbaijani national team plays in the finals of European and world championships. Fighting with renowned players and team is very motivating both for the players of the national team and the children.

- Under the previous head coach, Berti Vogts, who once played as a defender, the Azerbaijani team played more defensive football. It seems you change the style of the team.

- In football, the main factor is the mood to fight. We want to show interesting football that fans will enjoy. It does not always work. It also depends on the opponent. My philosophy is that we should not sit in the defense and rely on chance. Instead, we can shift from defensive to attacking position using clever combinations and demonstrating technical football. Naturally, Azerbaijan will never become Brazil, as there is some 200 million people living there and almost every child is playing football on the beach all day long. But my goal is to make the team show more interesting football and to increase its fighting spirit. We want every team, coming to play in Azerbaijan, know that we will not give up just like that. Our rivals should know that to defeat us they will have to try hard.

I am pleased with the state of the national team players, they have very good potential. Frankly speaking, the opinions about Azerbaijani football were not positive just a few years ago. But now, after the first game of the qualification stage the whole of Europe is discussing the Azerbaijani football. I think this is a great success; we have to be proud of this. Once again, I stress that this work is not over; we need to work hard without comparing our style with any other school and show the game, which allows us to maximize the potential team players.

Do not get me wrong, but our team had no idea about the football before. Under Vogts, the national team had ten defenders and only forward. The team tried to play a game at the expense of long passes. But now we show the fans what real football is. We had a draw with Croatia, and played a good game with the Italian team. I am not going to give up my vision of football. As long as I am here, the team will continue to show interesting football.

- We scored 7 points in 2016. What should we expect in 2017?

- As I said, we will try to fight with dignity. Regarding the game against Germany, I cannot comment on that. Bundestim is the favorite not only in the group but also in the whole tournament. Brazil is also a very difficult team to play with. In other matches, we will try to meet the expectations of our fans. Maybe there will be changes in the composition. As always, I will give a chance to those players who were in the most optimal shape during the preparatory phase. I find it very important how the player performs his duties in the national team matches.

- What can you say about life in Azerbaijan? Do you like Azerbaijani cuisine? How does your family find the life in Azerbaijan?

- I live with my family here. My kids go to school here. You have a beautiful country, wonderful people. My family and I feel very comfortable and welcome here. Baku is a very large and safe city. You have a very tasty cuisine, and I like this. Especially I love dolma made of grape leaves. Your people are very benevolent, always ready to help. Sometimes we have problems because of the language, but still people are trying to do something to help.

There is a great pressure on the football in many countries. In Azerbaijan, you feel this pressure even more, but you have to be ready. I am very happy to be here, I do not have any problems. I do not get so much time off work, and I try to spend it with my family. There are many places to stay in Baku; this is a very beautiful city. My only hobby is my family, and I spend all my free time with them.