Bruno Akrapovic: "Games with "Qarabagh" were a lesson for "Shkendija"

An interview of AZERTAC with Bruno Akrapovic, the former head coach of the North Macedonian team "Shkendija", which was eliminated by "Qarabagh" in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

- Your former team, "Shkendija", stopped fighting in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after losing to "Qarabagh" (overall score 1:6). What can you say about this?

- To be honest, I didn't have much of a chance to watch both games. I watched the summaries later. Everyone knew from the beginning that "Qarabagh" is the favorite of the pair, a strong team. It has quality players in its squad. The matches with the champion of Azerbaijan were a lesson for "Shkendija". I hope they will play better in the next matches and not make mistakes.

- Which players would you single out in the "Qarabagh" squad in these matches?

- As I said, "Qarabagh" has quality local and foreign players. I would mention Kevin Medina, Leandro Andrade and Nariman Akhundzade.

- The Azerbaijani representative will face the Hungarian club "Ferencvaros" in the play-off stage of the UEFA Champions League. How do you assess their chances?

- I watched the first match of "Ferencvaros" with "Ludogorets". Although the game ended in a goalless draw, the Hungarians fought well. It is a difficult opponent for "Qarabagh". But nothing is impossible. In my opinion, your team can reach the League stage.

- In 2016, when you worked at the North Macedonian club, you faced "Neftchi" in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. How do you remember those meetings?

- Yes, I remember very well. At that time, "Neftchi" had a majority of young players in its squad. Moreover, they were all quality players. The chances were equal in both matches. In the end, luck was on our side and we won.

- Interestingly, have you ever received an offer from Azerbaijani clubs?

- Two or three years ago, I was offered to Azerbaijani clubs through a manager.

- Which Azerbaijani football players do you know?

- First of all, I would mention the name of the head coach of "Qarabagh", veteran football player Gurban Gurbanov. Badavi Huseynov and Bahlul Mustafazade, who currently play in his team, are familiar football players to me. In addition, I have information about the head coach of "Zira", Rashad Sadigov.

Idman.biz