"We have not lost in any of the games we played against our main rivals, and I believe that we will continue this series in the next matches as well. However, most of our points losses have coincided with games against teams ranked lower than us in the tournament table. If we can eliminate this deficiency in the last round, we will reach our goal at the end of the season."
These thoughts were expressed by Adil Shukurov, the head coach of "Sabail".
The experienced specialist also spoke about the upcoming match against "Baku Sporting".
"Our game with "Baku Sporting" is very important. I hope we will get a good result and we will put our maximum effort into it. It is expected that the opponent will start the game actively to protect their position in the tournament table, and we must be fully prepared for this. It is already the decisive stage of the season and every point gained is of particular importance. There are still seven rounds ahead and I do not rule out changes in the tournament table during this period. The course of events in the First League can often change unexpectedly. The team must be fully prepared for such matches. In such games, sometimes a goal or a referee's decision determines the fate of the game. Therefore, the referees must understand the responsibility on them to the maximum. Their decisions immediately cause a reaction both on and off the field," he said in a statement to futbolinfo.az.
A. Shukurov also touched upon his team's performance: "Sometimes we lost points in games we could have won, but we returned from difficult trips with successful results. In the First League, the level of the teams, as well as the referee's decisions in some cases, have a serious impact on the results and results contrary to expectations are revealed. However, I see progress and increased dynamics in the team's game. Let my words not be misunderstood, I do not intend to overshadow the work of my colleagues who worked before me. It's just that every coach has their own approach and requirements, and adapting to it takes time. The team has dropped out of the Premier League and regaining promotion is a serious responsibility for the entire team. Everyone - both the management and the staff - works towards this goal. I hope we will achieve it. The First League has its own difficulties, and this differs in terms of player selection, motivation, and referee decisions. It is important to be prepared for all these points."
In the end, the head coach shared his thoughts on the decisive stage of the season: "There is little time left until the end of the season, and at this stage, physical fitness, tactical correctness and psychological stability are of particular importance. But one of the main factors affecting all this is the management of the game. Sometimes a decision made in an instant can affect the results of weeks, even the work done throughout the season. I hope my thoughts will be understood correctly. Today, most of the referees are the students of people we once respected very much, and some of them were our football players when we worked as coaches ourselves. I believe that they will always make fair and correct decisions."