Aslan Karimov: "If Qarabag plays with the main squad, Neftchi's chances will decrease" - INTERVIEW

- Tomorrow, within the framework of the XXXI round of the Misli Premier League, "Qarabag" - "Neftchi" will face each other. As a football player who has worn the uniforms of both teams, what are your expectations from the Azerbaijan derby?

- There are some games that always stand out with their tension. The "Qarabag" - "Neftchi" duel is one of them. Looking at recent history, at a time when "Qarabag" was dominant, only "Neftchi" managed to take the championship from them. It is no coincidence that "Neftchi" defeated "Qarabag" under the leadership of Samir Abasov. This shows that there has always been a tense struggle between these teams. Currently, the position of both teams in the championship and the goals they have set are very different. "Neftchi"'s current situation is quite difficult. Because now the road to Europe only goes through the cup. It is impossible to achieve this goal with championship games. In addition, both clubs will play a cup match and both lost by one goal difference. But if we compare again, "Qarabag"'s potential is higher than "Neftchi"'s. If we look at the players' experience, financial situation and other aspects, "Qarabag" surpasses "Neftchi" in every component.

- Do you think that both teams will field their full squad for this match against the background of the tense fight in the cup?

- If it were before, it wouldn't make much difference for "Qarabag", they would also field their full squad for this game. However, the cup match of the Azerbaijani champion with "Araz Nakhchivan" will be more tense. The red cards received, the penalties given to the players after the game, and the images of the head coach throwing the tablet into the sky give reason to say this. No matter how much they say that we are calm, these games do not create tension in us, the visible picture says something else. In terms of making up for that one goal and leaving "Araz-Nakhchivan" behind, I wonder how much opportunity the coach will give to all the players to play. In any case, there is a cup game in a few days. Of course, he will not give everyone a rest, but it is important for the players to play in order to stay in tone. The players of the squad that will face "Araz-Nakhchivan" have to play with "Neftchi". If Zubir, Andrade, Yankovich, Medina, Benzia are on the field, there is no team in the Azerbaijani championship that will defeat "Qarabag". From time to time, the Aghdam representative makes rotations, which makes them look weak. For example, we have often seen the team lose or perform poorly in matches where players such as Addai and Isayev are on the field. However, when they play with the full squad, it is very difficult for their opponents. In my opinion, we will not see the main players on the field from beginning to end.

- Considering the importance of the cup for "Neftchi", can the same be true for them?

- If "Qarabag" plays with the main squad against "Neftchi", the chances of the "white-blacks" will decrease. The name of "Qarabag" is a motivation in itself for any opponent. However, the coaching staff also understands that the cup match with "Sabah" is extremely important. It is questionable whether they will play 100 percent thinking about this match. It is true that the coach will not tell the players to play 90 percent in this match when they come to the field. But as someone who has played football at the highest level, I understand that players involuntarily try to tune themselves to the most important match. In these types of games, they avoid getting injured. In this case, the football player cannot play one hundred percent.

- So it turns out that we are not expecting such a tense match.

- Maybe players on both sides who get little playing time will fight with all their might. But in my opinion, this match will not be so tense. The main tense games are the cup games that will start in four or five days. These matches can be called death-or-life games.

Aytac Sahad
Idman.biz