Idman.biz
A second victory at the start of the Champions League group stage will allow Aghdam's team to get even closer to their desire to reach the top 24.
Thus, Baku is preparing for a special football evening today: "Qarabağ" will host the Danish club "Copenhagen" at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium as part of the second round of the Champions League group stage.
Fans will have the opportunity to watch the match between "Qarabağ" and "Copenhagen" again today. Let us remind you that these clubs met in the play-off stage of the Champions League in 2017, when the Aghdam club qualified for the group stage of European Cups for the first time thanks to the then away goals rule (1-0 victory at home, 2:1 defeat away - ed.).
The opponents had different starts in the Champions League. While "Qarabağ" defeated "Benfica" 3:2 in Lisbon, "Copenhagen" drew 2-2 with "Bayer Leverkusen" at home thanks to a goal scored in the last minutes.
These results add extra excitement to the match in Baku: "Qarabağ" has caught the rhythm of the tournament, and the guests have proved that they can achieve results by fighting to the end.
Today's squad of "Qarabağ" is familiar to the fans. The goal is entrusted to Mateus Kochalsky. The center of defense is assigned to Kevin Medina and Sami Mmaee, and the flanks are assigned to Bolt and Elvin Jafarguliyev. Kadi Borges and Zubir will be in midfield, and Leandro Andrade and Aleksey Kashchuk will try to add dynamism to this line. In attack, it will be Kamilo Duran, who scored one of the goals in the match against Benfica.
The absence of Marko Jankovic after the game with "Benfica" can be considered a serious loss for "Qarabağ". The other injured player in the team is striker Nariman Akhundzade.
Yakob Nestrup's "Copenhagen" is built on a strong midfield and fast transitions. Thomas Delaney and Lukas Lerager control the midfield, and Victor Claesson leads. The guests have dangerous players such as Mohamed Elyounoussi, Elias Ashuri and a winger like Rodrigo Uskas. In attack, attention will be focused on German Yussuf Mukoko.
However, there are also losses in the Danish squad: Andreas Cornelius, Magnus Mattsson and Jonathan Moalem are not ready for the game.
Statistics are also not in favor of "Copenhagen" - in the last 20 away matches of the Champions League, the team has won only twice.
The scenario of the game seems tense: "Qarabağ" will try to dictate the tempo and play from the flanks. "Copenhagen" will try to control the ball in the center, build fast attacks and take advantage of standard situations.
The main task for the home team will be to maintain discipline when losing the ball and to get out of the pressing through Kadi and Zubir.
If "Qarabağ" wins its second game in a row, it will increase its points to 6 and turn the chance to reach the top 24 into a reality. In the new format of the Champions League, this creates a real opportunity to fulfill their dreams of reaching the play-off stage.
Thus, a memorable match is expected today at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium. Gurban Gurbanov's team can take an important step towards qualifying for the play-offs.
Teymur Tushiyev
