Gurban Gurbanov: "We could have played better, this is not our game"

After the Liverpool vs. Qarabag match in the eighth round of the Champions League League stage, Qarabag's head coach Gurban Gurbanov answered journalists' questions. Sport24.az reports that the expert first shared his thoughts on the meeting:

– Unfortunately, it was a big defeat. We didn't want that. Nevertheless, I congratulate my players. If we analyze 8 games, if we look at the path we have come, we have suffered a lot, we have taken risks. At least we deserved a place in the playoffs. We could have played better today. This is not our game. We are a better team. In any case, we lost deservedly. But we also deserved to be in the "Top 24". I congratulate the players and my people. They were very much waiting for us to be in the "Top 24". The games are getting more complicated, the opponents are getting stronger. There are bigger games ahead. We will try to prepare properly for the upcoming games. I congratulate my colleague Slot and his team.

– Potential opponents are known. What are your thoughts?

– We will wait. Both (PSG and Newcastle) are distinguished by their unique playing style. Whichever one we face, we will try to be more careful and prepare well.

– What conclusion would you draw from this match?

– To play better. I understand my players. We had no easy opponent among the 8 teams. They had spent a lot of energy in the previous games. And maybe there was complacency. With 10 points, we were 90-95 percent in the "Top 24". In any case, this stadium, this team had an influence. If we play again, we will play better, I am sure of it. When we talked to the players after the game, we said that we deserve to do better than this.

– Are the players celebrating the playoffs, or are they disappointed?

– 50/50.

– They were disappointed on the field…

– It's normal. They themselves admit that they should have played better.