Today, "Araz-Nakhchivan" played the first match of the third round in the qualifying stage of the Conference League. The team led by Elmar Bakhshiyev faced the Cypriot team "Omonia". The match ended with a 0:4 defeat for our representative. Sport24.az reports that after the match, at the press conference, the head coach of "Araz-Nakhchivan", Elmar Bakhshiyev, answered journalists' questions:
"It was a tough game. We thought that we could resist as a team. We knew that the opponent was experienced. We played poorly. We have to accept it. This many mistakes in these types of games don't go unpunished. As a team, perhaps we need to approach it correctly and continue".
- What do you attribute this result to?
- You will ask Igor Ribeyro again about the answer. He is a "Neftchi" player. The Ribeyro issue is over for us. We played poorly. It wasn't just the defenders, we were faltering in the defense plan.
- Despite the quality of "Omonia"'s attacking power, "Araz-Nakhchivan" played attacking football. Would the result have been different if you had played a little more defensively?
- There is no "a little" in football. There is an approach in football. From the first day, I want to see this team more in attack. The preparation for this game was not purely to attack only. We prepared the team in two phases. But it didn't work out.
- What did you say to the players at halftime?
- Sometimes you have to accept that you want to, but you can't make it happen. This was one of those games where no matter what changes we made, no matter what we wanted to give to the team, the first half was no different from the second half. We lost as a team. We have to accept this.
- How serious is Bolin's injury?
- His injury is not that serious.
- Do you think Patrik Andrade and Felipe Santos favored more individual play?
- You asked a good question. In modern football, more emphasis is placed on individual qualities. I can't take that away from those players. If they have self-confidence, they will also want to beat the opponent. Felipe and Andrade's individual actions alone did not affect the result.
- Was it because you were afraid of "Omonia" that this happened?
- There was no fear. We knew that the opponent in front of us was experienced. Sometimes you prepare, but there are other surprises. As a team, after conceding consecutive goals, we had difficulty getting back into the game. This is not because my players played poorly, no. It's just that sometimes you want to, but it doesn't work out. It has to be accepted as normal.
- It can be said that the Eurocup is over for you. How realistic is it to get the team back on track?
- We don't base our work on social networks. Everyone is free to express their opinion. Before the first game, they were also asking if they were finished before they started. But as a team, we will calm down and prepare for the away game.