Report.az
Former president of "Inter" (now "Shamakhi") Georgi Nikolov answered the questions of "Report".
The Bulgarian businessman talked about the first leg of the Conference League III qualifying round between local "Levski" and "Sabah" in Sofia and other issues.
- The match in Bulgaria ended with a 1:0 victory for the home team. What can you say about the match?
- To be honest, I didn't watch the game. Then I saw the score, watched the review. I think it was an equal game. Both teams showed high-level football. After 70 minutes, "Sabah" got tired, the pace dropped a lot. I think that's why "Levski" was able to score. I think the result is quite fair.
- Can "Sabah" pass the stage in Baku?
- Of course, they can pass. "Levski" should properly assess this team. "Sabah" is a serious opponent, anything can happen in the return match. But I think the Bulgarian team will go further in the European Cups. That is my prediction.
- Are you following Azerbaijani football?
- Although I can't watch many championship matches, I am aware of "Qarabağ"'s results in European Cups.
- "Qarabağ" may face "Ludogorets", another representative of your country, in the play-off stage of the Champions League.
- Yes. They faced each other last season as well. If I'm not mistaken, they beat "Qarabağ" in Baku. Then they were defeated here, in front of my eyes, by a big score. A score of 7:2 was recorded. So, if both of them reach the play-off, it will be an interesting duel. According to my assumption, "Ludogorets" will want to take revenge. But I must also say that our country's champion is a little weaker compared to last season. That is, I cannot predict the result of the possible upcoming meeting. But I can say that "Qarabağ" is stronger.
- How would you compare Azerbaijani and Bulgarian football? Which one has seen more development in recent times?
- The football of these countries is very similar. Probably, more emphasis is placed on physical struggle in Azerbaijan. Players with good technique also come to Azerbaijan. You also have such local players. That's why I think they are both close to each other. Bulgarian football is not going through good times right now. The recent results of the Azerbaijani national team are not so good either.
- The legionnaire limit has been abolished in the Azerbaijan Premier League. Would you like to express your opinion on this?
- There were some changes when I worked in your country. But I didn't see any special progress in the results. There were good results when there were no restrictions on the limit. I even know that "Qarabağ" reached the group stage of the Champions League when the legionnaire limit was applied. I cannot say whether the abolition of the limit will benefit or harm Azerbaijani football at the moment. I believe that the level of foreign players who will come to your country will be high, and Azerbaijani players will also be able to show themselves and get a chance.
