Aykhan Abbasov: "We are ready for the game against France, some players who play little are needed for the national team"

The Azerbaijan national team has left for Paris for the match against France in the DÇ-2026 qualifying round. Sport24.az reports that head coach Aykhan Abbasov gave an interview before the trip:

- Is the team psychologically ready? 

- We were in Baku for three days. The approach of the football players pleases us. They were eager. There are those who have returned from minor injuries. The main thing is that everyone knows the essence of these games. Tough matches await us. As a team, we need to show desire and character, and not give up. 

- What were you able to change in the national team? 

- Of course, it is difficult to change something suddenly. We need to change our approach. I believe that football players will know the value of the uniform. We will get better and better.

- Kilian Mbappe, Usman Dembele will probably not be in the French national team. Barkola is also out... 

- France is a strong team. Their alternatives are not inferior to the players you mentioned. We have prepared as a team against France. There are players who play an important role in the team. Mbappe and Dembele are among them. 

- Do you feel pressure? 

- I thank everyone. There is support, this is motivation. It is an honor for us to work in the national team. It is a great responsibility. We know where we are. We will try to perform successfully. Pressures are normal. It is an honor to be the head coach of such a great team. We want to score maximum points in every game. We are in a very difficult group. We also have two games at home. 

- What is the reason for Rufat Abdullazadeh's non-invitation to the national team? 

- There will be an exchange of views every time the national team's roster is announced. In the past games, they talked about why Murad Khachayev and Faig Hajiyev were not invited to the national team. People talk about those who are left out. I know Rufat well. Today we have a different approach. We have players in that position. We have already invited one player. There will be changes in the coming games. My appointment took place a week before the matches. We did not have a complete selection. After that, all football players will be considered. Some football players, even if they play little, are needed for the national team. We should not turn our backs on them in one day. There are Rufat and others who will be with us in the upcoming training camp.