Sport24.az
This season, "Qarabağ" once again became the face of Azerbaijani football in Europe.
The team added new historical lines to its name on the UEFA Champions League stage. Qualifying for the league stage was already a great success. However, the Aghdam representative did not stop there, achieving an unprecedented result for Azerbaijani football by reaching the first "Top 24" in the stage.
The opponents were not ordinary teams. Portuguese giant "Benfica", Danish champion "Copenhagen", and Germany's ambitious representative "Eintracht" all suffered defeat against Qarabağ. The draw against English giant "Chelsea" during a football evening in Baku was a result that will be remembered for many years.
These victories and results were not just statistical indicators. This was Azerbaijan further strengthening its place on the football map. The name "Qarabağ" was mentioned in leading European media outlets, their playing style was analyzed, and the coach's work was presented as an example.
In the first half of the season, there was a true "Qarabağ atmosphere" in the country. In catering facilities, offices, schools, and gatherings of friends, the main topic of discussion was this team. Everyone was asking the same question: "What will Qarabağ do in the next game?"
Behind these successes lay systematic work, years of effort, and stability. Gurban Gurbanov, the architect of this stability, has created not just a team, but a football model. A model that is now recognized and respected in Europe.
Yes, at the end of the season, "Sabah" became the champion in the Misli Premier League, and this success was fully deserved. The Masazir representative deserved this title with its stability and proper planning. However, the result in the domestic championship does not fully reflect the overall picture of the season.
The fact that some football fans voiced the opinion that "it was an unsuccessful season for Qarabağ" stems from this point. However, it is necessary to evaluate the issue from a broader perspective. This season, "Qarabağ" once again made the name of Azerbaijani football heard on the biggest stage in Europe. It earned points for the country in terms of the UEFA ranking. It created a more favorable draw perspective for Azerbaijani clubs in the coming years.
Most importantly, "Qarabağ" once again proved that this team is not the product of accidental successes, but of systematic development.
Today, the joy of championship is at another address. This is the beauty of football. But the memory of the season, the story of the season, the history written on the European stage of the season belongs precisely to "Qarabağ."
Let's not forget. Let's not let anyone forget. Because this memory is the future of Azerbaijani football.
