Ismayil Ibrahimli: "Qarabag"'s pace is higher, but we are assessing our chances for European cups

Interview with "Zira" football player Ismayil Ibrahimli to Sport24.az

- You lost to "Qarabag" with a score of 1:3 in the 24th round of the Misli Premier League. What caused this defeat?
- It was a tense and interesting match. In meetings with such teams, you need to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. But we couldn't take advantage of it. They said that the episode at the end of the game was a penalty.

- What about the episode at the beginning of the match? Do you think it wasn't a penalty?
- Based on what I saw on the field, I can say that a penalty should have been awarded.

- You were able to keep up with the opponent's speed and pace. Did the level of skill play a decisive role for a good result?
- We were fighting almost head-to-head. But everyone knows the strength of "Qarabag". Their game pace is higher. It is difficult to fight in such a case. In my opinion, we played a good game despite this. In the game with such teams, luck should also be on your side. In some episodes, this was not the case.

- The end of the season is near. How do you see your chances of qualifying for the European Cups?
- There is currently a fierce fight for European Cups. We intend to be as high as possible. We need to win every game now. The championship is really tense. We lost points in the match with "Kapaz". That opponent defeated "Sumgayit", which is vying for European Cups. We don't differentiate between games. More difficult struggle awaits us.

- Before the break in the championship, you will be guests of "Karvan-Yevlakh". Your thoughts on this match...
- We will go to the trip only to win. We know it will be difficult. We saw how "Karvan-Yevlakh" created problems for "Araz-Nakhchivan" in the last match. The field factor also plays an important role here.

- The semi-final of the Azerbaijan Cup will start at the beginning of April. Do you think the cup route is easier for European Cups?
- Now it is possible to solve the issue in three matches in the cup. But the cup route is more risky. Because first of all, you have to reach the final. If we focus on the final without taking a place in the championship, it is a risk. We have no intention of doing such a thing. Therefore, we intend to climb as high as possible in the Premier League.

- The "FIFA Series – 2026" tournament will be held in our country at the end of March. Are you expecting an invitation?
- Of course. Like every football player, I want to be in the national team.

- Do you think the national team can win this tournament? The opponents are suitable for our team...
- Yes. Why not win? If we are called to the national team, the coaches will give us better information about the opponents.