Sport24.az
Ceyhun Aliyev, Paris
Finally, the night arrived. The apogee of our trip to Paris was undoubtedly the away match against France. I will not discuss Aykhan Abbasov's starting lineup. Do you know why? Because it wouldn't change anything which Azerbaijanis were on the field against the French. We all felt it immediately after the starting whistle. The goal defended by Shahruddin was like Stalingrad, besieged from all sides. In a number of episodes, Mahammadaliyev was remembered for excellent saves, while at other moments, Bahlul Mustafazade and his comrades temporarily cleared the incoming projectiles from the penalty area.
Why need a guide to a village that is already visible? While the French demonstrated what football is with every touch, the best ball players of our country proved to us once again that we were watching not football, but an imitation of football. Although it is a bitter reality, we must definitely note this fact so that the players nominated for the national team can sort themselves out. True, two of our players stood out more: Bahlul Mustafazade and Abdulla Khaybullayev. The "Qarabagh" defender showed the maximum that an Azerbaijani could do against France. Khaybullayev, on the other hand... In my opinion, if this supporting midfielder shows himself as he did in Paris in several international matches, then many European clubs will sit on "Sabah's" "envoy stone". Perhaps it will sound a little pretentious, but Abdulla is starting to remind me of Gennaro Gattuso. Moreover, the 24-year-old Dagestani, who was pleasing to the eye with his destructiveness in the match against Ukraine in Baku, was the best player in our national team.
It's not worth discussing the goals scored. Because if it were possible to save any episode, Deschamps' team would definitely find a way to our goal with another combination. Therefore, I want to focus attention on another factor. Although the skill level of the guys does not allow them to face this opponent head-to-head, the fighting spirit of our national team deserves the kindest words. It seems that Abbasov has managed to establish the most correct relationship with the football players.
Our national team is facing another tough test ahead, this time in the form of Ukraine. A strange situation has arisen in our group, that if we win the match that will take place in Poland, our chances of being second in the group will look very real. Of course, I understand very well that what I said is a "dream pilaf". But let's not forget that sometimes the dreams you build turn into reality.
