"We will watch interesting games".
These words were said by Mahmud Gurbanov, the former football player and coach of the Azerbaijani national team.
The specialist assessed the preparation process of the teams during the winter break.
"After a month's break, the championship starts again. It is obvious that there will be a very intense fight until the end of the season. There will be serious competition both for the championship, for winning tickets to the European Cups, and for staying in the elite among the outsider teams", he said in his statement to offsideplus.az.
Gurbanov shared his thoughts on the "Neftchi" - "Zira" match that will take place this evening: "Neftchi" held training camps in Abu Dhabi. This period was extremely important for the team's new head coach, Yuri Vernidub. It is true that he joined the team at the end of the first half of the championship. However, he had the opportunity to form the team and instill the desired playing style in the team within a month.
The games held in Abu Dhabi did not make a bad impression. One of the most positive aspects is that the new head coach gives Murad Mammadov more chances. Murad also shows that he is useful to the team with his goals and game.
It is difficult to say a specific opinion about how "Neftchi" will play today. But I think the team should get stronger from game to game. It must show its strength and put forward its claim. I hope that it will be able to show it starting from today's game".
It should be noted that the "Neftchi" - "Zira" match will start at 19:00.