Sport24.az
The Icelandic national team will face the Azerbaijani team in Baku tomorrow as part of the 5th round of the DÇ-2026 qualifying stage. Sport24.az reports that the head coach of the guest team, Arnar Qunnlauqsson, answered journalists' questions at the press conference held before the match:
- What differences do you see in the Azerbaijani national team since the first game?
- The Azerbaijani national team plays in the same system. But now they are more eager, more structured and organized. They have made significant progress in defense, transitions, and possession. They say that the Azerbaijani national team performed poorly in the meeting in Iceland. But I would say that our team played well in that match. We will have new players tomorrow. They will also try to show themselves. We want to form the basis of the next European Championship squad with this team.
- Who would you single out in the Azerbaijani national team?
- Every national team has good players. I will not specifically emphasize who I am more wary of. There are dynamic players in the opponent's squad. I would note the goal you scored against Ukraine. The new head coach's influence is also felt.
- You won 5:0 against the Azerbaijani national team and sent Fernandu Santuş into retirement. Is Fernandu Santuş the only coach, or has this happened before?
- No, not the first time. I have had 4-5 such experiences in my former club. When someone loses, someone has to take responsibility. In such a case, the head coach is fired.
- Which team is the favorite in the Azerbaijan-Iceland match?
- If we look at the football pyramid, we are a little higher. We are considered the favorites. Football is the only game where the non-favorite team can win. When we played against France, they were the favorites. But we had a chance to get a positive result. Football is such that you have to treat your opponent with respect. We have to show our best game tomorrow.
