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 overall they showed a very careful and disciplined game. Despite the fact that we had a team that handles 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 Gurban Gurbanov, the head coach of "Qarabag", 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, and then Emmanuel Addai played in that position. Was Jankovic not 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 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 rest today and tomorrow. Fatigue inevitably increases in football players. Frankly, we haven't analyzed the opponent closely yet. But we watched their games, we watched the matches of "Neftchi" and "Turan Tovuz".
- After Kadinin was out of the game, can you see the same performance from 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's a known issue. Each player has a suitable position. Kadinin's absence also affects other positions. Because when a player from a different position plays there, we also have other difficulties. This is inevitable. It also exists in world football. But thank God my players do their best for the result. Not every team is built on one player. Kadi plays in the playmaker zone, sometimes we 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? How are the players' performances?
- I was able to get what I expected from the players I had expectations from. There were some that I expected more from, but I couldn't get it. But it wouldn't be right to say it here. They know it and they accept it correctly.
- Will the result of the match with "Sabah", i.e. a defeat, affect the championship race?
- There are still many games ahead. When the season started, we were in what places, and much later we started to climb step by step. It was the same with "Sabah". Now they have risen to better places. It's true, it's an important game. If we win, it doesn't mean that we will be the champion at the end of the season. "Sabah" has a good team. Regardless of the outcome 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 the "Qarabag" match alone in the Women and Children's Shelter?
- No, not yet. But we will meet, he is here.
