Sport24.az
"I congratulate my players. It was a very important victory. What was important was that the players played disciplined. There were 1-2 gaps near the end, but overall they showed a very careful and disciplined game. Despite the fact that we had a team in front of us that handled the ball well. We had good attacks, we scored good goals. I wish success to the opponent and to our team. I also thank our fans."
Sport24.az reports that these words were said by the head coach of "Qarabag" Gurban Gurbanov at a press conference after the 15th round of the Misli Premier League match against "Araz-Nakhchivan".
He answered questions from journalists.
- In the absence of Marko Jankovic, Joni Montiel, and then Emmanuel Addai played in that position. Wasn't Jankovic ready?
- We gave Jankovic a rest. We didn't release many players in the main squad. Because the previous match was intense and fast. It was the fastest game of recent times. Each player's performance was high.
- What are your expectations from the "Sabah" - "Qarabag" match?
- Indeed, today's results are due to Sabah's game. Sabah is becoming more capable and more dangerous from game to game, a good team has been formed. They have good game discipline. We are playing against a very serious opponent. We will just give the players a rest today and tomorrow. Fatigue inevitably increases in football players. Honestly, we haven't analyzed the opponent closely yet. But we watched their games, we watched the "Neftchi" and "Turan Tovuz" matches.
- After Kadina's departure, can you see the same performance in the players playing in his position? Because it is written that in his absence, "Qarabag" does not have the same performance in that position...
- It is a known matter. Every player has a suitable position. Kadina's departure does not pass without affecting other positions. Because when a player from a different position plays there, we also have other problems. This is inevitable. It also exists in world football. But thank God my players do their best for the result. No team is built on one player. Kadi plays in the playmaker zone, we sometimes played him as a defensive midfielder. It also depends on the opponent. The presence of capable and experienced players like Kadi on the field is an additional advantage for the team and the construction of our game. I would like my players to always be healthy.
- There are 2 games left until the winter break. Have the players been able to give more on the field than you expected at the beginning of the season, or how? What are the players' performance indicators?
- I was able to get what I expected from the players I expected. There were those who I didn't get more than I expected. But it would not be right for me to say it here. They know it and they accept it correctly.
- Will the result of the match with "Sabah", that is, if there is a defeat, affect the championship race?
- There are still many games ahead. When the season started, we were in which places, and after a while we started to climb step by step. "Sabah" was like that too. Now they have risen to better places. True, it is an important game. If we win, it does not mean that we will be champions at the end of the season. "Sabah" has a good team. Regardless of the result of that game, the struggle continues. "Sabah" is also focusing all its attention on the championship.
- Have you met Akbar Zulfugarov, a fan who watched "Qarabag"'s match alone in the Women and Children's Shelter?
- No, not yet. But we will meet, he is here.
