Gurban Gurbanov: "It is more appropriate for him to play in Europe"

The head coach of "Qarabag", Gurban Gurbanov, commented on the match in which they defeated "Neftchi" with a score of 3:0 in the 31st round of the Misli Premier League.

QOL.az reports that he said this at the press conference after the match: 

- I thank our fans. There was a completely different atmosphere in the stadium today. We expect them at every game. Football without fans looks very weak. We won a very important victory. I was satisfied with them. They were able to maintain the speed and dynamics until the end. "Neftchi" created several good goal episodes. This shows their strength. I wish "Neftchi" and Samir Abasov success.

- Can the continuation of pressure for 90 minutes be characterized as preparation for the cup match with "Araz-Nakhchivan"?

- No. We didn't have such a plan. We haven't had this much time to train since January. We had 8 days to better recover the team. Today it was clear that we were able to take advantage of that short period. The players were able to maintain their strength and speed on the field for 90 minutes.

- Kevin Medina's contract expires in the summer. Will he stay in the team?

- The fact that Medina has not played for 4 games does not mean that I am not satisfied with his game. I want to give Mateus Silva more chances because he is performing well. His contract is not expiring. If I'm not mistaken, he still has a 2-year contract with us. We will try to give him a chance in the upcoming games.

- A week ago, after the game with "Sabail", you said that no matter what happens, I don't want to leave the team on the day of the game. Today you attended the opening of wrestler Haji Aliyev's facility. This is not received unequivocally by the public. Do you think your colleagues on the Executive Committee will be offended by you?

- You have to look at it a little differently. There are days when we have training on the day of the game, and there are days when we don't. On the other hand, there is no 10-15 minute meeting in the Executive Committee. There are hours of discussions there. I inform you the day before that I will not be able to attend the meeting. We understand each other. Today I went to Haji's small business opening, congratulated him, wished him success and came back quickly.

- Is Abbas Huseynov losing the competition that Toral Bayramov is playing in his position?

- Abbas had a second injury. He has already started training with the team. There was a problem in his overloaded muscle. It is a risk to release him into the game suddenly. He will be given a chance slowly in the upcoming games.

- Doesn't it bother you that you miss a lot of goal episodes?

- Yes, we had a lot of goal episodes. It doesn't bother me much. There is such a thing as approaching the episode irresponsibly, and there is a desire to score a goal. Today, the desire was excessive. There were more goal episodes in Kadi Borges. His skill creates an opportunity to take advantage of those episodes. He will be more accurate in the next games.

-  Nariman Akhundzade scored 10 goals and made 12 assists in 37 games this season. Are you getting the performance you want from him?

- Nariman has changed for the better recently. He was away from his sports form for a while. We are constantly discussing. He must be better, more businesslike. Not only Nariman, but everyone. If your love and enthusiasm for football has decreased a little, there is no need to play. Because the requirements are high. I am not completely satisfied with Nariman. If he works harder on himself, thinks more about football, his potential is higher. Not 11-12 goals, he should have been among the top scorers today. And he is obliged to be.

- Mahir Emreli's contract with "Nuremberg" expires at the end of the season. Do you want to bring him to the team in the summer?

- I read in the press that he is negotiating a new contract with his club. We have not had any talks with Mahir. His goal is to play in Europe. It is more advisable for him to play there. 

- Do you want to see Yassin Benzian, whose contract with the club expires, in the team next season as well?

- I would like to. Negotiations are underway, an offer has been made. There are a few months ahead. Maybe it will be known at the end of the season (sportal.az).