Idman.biz
Tonight, a dream comes true for the "Qarabag" football club - a Champions League play-off match. Naturally, being among the top 24 teams in Europe is already a great achievement.
Idman.Biz reports that the first match against "Newcastle" will be held at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium. In such duels, the "here and now" situation is often more decisive than the overall level of the teams.
"Newcastle" arrives in Baku after a difficult period. Eddie Howe's team has restored its confidence by defeating "Tottenham" (2:1) in the Premier League, and then "Aston Villa" (3:1) in the English Cup. However, before that, they lost to "Liverpool" (1:4), "Brentford" (2:3), and stopped competing in the League Cup after losing to "Manchester City" (1:3). So, a rival is coming to Baku who has regained the rhythm of victory, but looked weak in the recent past.
A similar, but smaller-scale, situation has also occurred in "Qarabag". After losing 0:2 to "Kapaz", Gurban Gurbanov's team recovered and won away victories over "Shamakhi" (2:1) and "Imishli" (1:0). Although these games were not bright, they showed an important point: "Qarabag" has started playing pragmatic and careful football again. And it is this quality that is more valuable in European competitions.
In the current season, one detail unites the European games that Agdam residents held in Baku - the team definitely scores a goal. In matches with "Copenhagen" (2:0), "Chelsea" (2:2), "Ajax" (2:4), "Eintracht" (3:2), the hosts found their chance. "Newcastle's" away statistics are different: with the exception of a 4:0 victory over "Union Saint-Gilloise", the English have not been able to keep their goal intact in games with "Marseille" (1:2), "Bayer" (2:2) and PSG (1:1). Although this does not weaken their favorite status, it indicates the scenario of the game - the hosts will have windows of opportunity and they need to make the most of them.
Gurban Gurbanov also touched upon issues that concern fans: goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski is expected to play, and although questions remain about Leandro Andrade, his chances of appearing on the field are high. The guests have losses in midfield - especially the absence of Bruno Guimarães may be felt.
"Newcastle's" main danger is quickly turning the ball into an attack. A short episode is enough for them to get the ball into the penalty area and create pressure. The main issue for "Qarabag" is to control the pace - not speed for the sake of speed, but to repel the pressure and wait for the moment when the opponent leaves gaps. It is in such pauses that Agdam residents are most dangerous.
The game in Baku may be paradoxical: the longer the match goes on equal terms, the higher the chances of the hosts will be. For "Newcastle", this is one stage of a great European journey. For "Qarabag", this is a special evening where the energy of the stands and the logic of faith can change.
Emotions - a factor that is sometimes a problem for inexperienced teams - can this time become the main ally of Agdam residents. "Qarabag" has already made a historic result. But if the team catches the wave, the fortress of the English representative can also be shaken.
