GARABAGH CONQUERS EUROPE

FC Garabagh made the spring segment of the season a historic one for Azerbaijani football. For the first time in its history, the Aghdam club participated in the 1/8 finals play-offs of the UEFA Europa League. Continuing their impressive run, Garabagh defeated the Portuguese team Braga on aggregate and advanced to the 1/8 of finals. Gurban Gurbanov's team defied all expectations and eliminated Braga from the competition.

Decisive Goal

After securing a 4-2 victory in the away match, Garabagh seemed complacent in the return leg against Braga, hindering their ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities in the first half. The game took an unfavourable turn after the break. Elvin Jafarguliyev was shown a second yellow card, reducing Garabagh to ten men. Assistant coach Elchin Rahmanov was then sent off for disputing a decision vehemently. It was during this period that Braga, following significant player substitutions, scored two crucial goals. Consequently, the match concluded with a 0-2 scoreline after 90 minutes. With both legs ending 4-2 and 0-2, extra time was required. Matheus Silva initially put Aghdam ahead, but Braga equalised from a penalty soon after.

The climax of this intense encounter occurred in the final moments when Gurban Gurbanov introduced Nariman Akhundzade, who had missed a golden opportunity in the first match. The 19-year-old forward emerged as the hero of the game by skilfully converting a pass from his teammate Bedavi Huseynov into the winning goal. Akhundzade's precise strike in the dying minutes stunned Braga, securing Garabagh's progression to the quarter-finals based on the aggregate scoreline.

Records and Upset

Undoubtedly, this season's performance by the Aghdam club showcased a new and elevated standard of Azerbaijani football to Europe. Gurban Gurbanov's squad displayed an impressive performance in the 1/8 of finals. The results of the draw did not scare Garabagh. The Bundesliga leaders, Bayer Leverkusen, who were ten points clear at the top, arrived to Azerbaijan on March 7 with an impressive unbeaten streak of 34 matches!

The initial clash between Azerbaijani Premier League leaders and German Bundesliga giants in the 1/8 of finals ended in a 2-2 draw. It's remarkable that a powerhouse like Bayer Leverkusen, valued at €550 million, narrowly escaped defeat in Baku against Garabagh. Despite holding a 2-0 lead in the first half, Garabagh committed two errors that Bayer capitalised on, levelling the score in the dying minutes.

A comparison of football levels and league strengths between the two countries suggests that Bayer Leverkusen, in stellar form, was the favourite in both encounters. The Leverkusen side had been unstoppable in the Europa League this season, winning all six matches before arriving in Baku with a sole aim to extend their winning streak. However, Garabagh, with their historic European achievements, halted Bayer's unbeaten run. The Bundesliga outfit suffered their first defeat in Baku after victories over Hecken (4-0 and 2-0), Molde (2-1 and 5-1), and FC Garabagh (5-1 and 1-0) in their group stage matches.

Goals from Yacine Benzia and Olavio Juninho within the first 45 minutes rattled Leverkusen. Bayer, a formidable adversary akin to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, seemed shaken by the early onslaught. The Germans managed to regroup only during the latter part of the second half.

One could argue that Bayer was without several key players for the first 45 minutes, with four main team members only joining in the second half and altering the game's course. However, it's important to acknowledge that Garabagh also faced setbacks. Following the exclusion of Julio Roman and Elvin Jafarguliyev, the Aghdam club was not at full strength. Nonetheless, in the German powerhouse, the reserve players proved to be equally formidable as the starting line-up.

The 1/8 final clash between Garabagh and Bayer also unfolded as a strategic battle between two coaches. Gurban Gurbanov outmanoeuvred his counterpart tactically, enabling the Aghdam club to create more promising scoring opportunities than their opponents. If Olavio Juninho had capitalized on one of his two chances in the second half, Bayer's path to victory would have been disrupted. The well-chosen tactics that led to numerous scoring chances should be credited to the opposing team's coach's superiority. Additionally, the confident demeanour displayed by Bayer's players on the field warrants recognition.

Garabagh, renowned across Europe for their refined and attractive style of play, also distinguishes itself through its productivity. Following impressive performances against Molde (2-2), Häcken (2-1), and Braga (4-2, 2-3), Bayer experienced firsthand the capabilities of the Agdam club. Garabagh's consistent display establishes it as a reputable entity on the European platform. Their sustained success and impactful results elevate both the club and the city of Aghdam onto the global stage. It is our belief that Garabagh will continue to deliver commendable performances in the future.