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 towards the end, but in general they showed a very careful and disciplined game. Despite the fact that we had a team that handled the ball well in front of us. We had good attacks, we scored good goals. I wish success to the opponent and our team. I also thank our fans."
Sport24.az reports that these words were said by the head coach of "Qarabağ" Gurban Gurbanov at a press conference after the 15th round match of the Misli Premier League with "Araz-Nakhchivan".
He answered journalists' questions.
- In the absence of Marko Jankovic, Joni Montiel played in that position, then Emmanuel Addai played. Was Jankovic not ready?
- We gave Jankovic a rest. We did not release many players in the main squad. Because the previous match was tense and fast. It was the fastest game of recent times. Each player's performance was high.
- What are your expectations from the "Sabah" - "Qarabağ" 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 disciplines. We are playing against a very serious opponent. We will just give the players rest today and tomorrow. Fatigue inevitably increases in football players. Frankly, we have not yet analyzed the opponent closely. But we have watched their games, we have watched the matches "Neftchi" and "Turan Tovuz".
- After Kadi's departure, can you see the same performance in the players playing in his position? Because it is written that in his absence, "Qarabağ" does not have the same performance in that position...
- It is a known matter. Each player has a suitable position. Kadi'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. Every team is not built on one player. Kadi plays in the playmaker zone, we sometimes played him as a defensive midfielder. It also depends on the opponent. Having capable and experienced players like Kadi on the field is an additional advantage for the team and the construction of our game. I would love for 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' performances like?
- I was able to get what I expected from the players I had expectations from. There were some who I expected more from, but I couldn't get it. But it would not be right to say it here. They know this and they have accepted 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 what places, and after a while we started to climb step by step. "Sabah" was like that too. Now they have risen to better places. It is 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 fight continues. "Sabah" has also focused all its attention on the championship.
- Have you met Akbar Zulfugarov, a fan who watched "Qarabağ"'s match alone in the Women and Children's Shelter?
- No, not yet. But we will meet, he is here.
