Sport24.az
"Neftchi"'s head coach Samir Abasov participated in the press conference held after the 19th round match of the Misli Premier League against "Sabah". Sport24.az reports that he also answered questions from journalists.
- Towards the end of the match, it seemed like you were thinking about something else, and the players didn't agree with it. They were afraid of losing a point they could have won and didn't take risks...
- We came to the field to win. We were very hopeful and motivated. I also said in my interview on our channel during the Gabala training camp that everything went great. If we had lost today, I wouldn't know what to say. When you concede a goal and then score, you get inspired. No matter how much we want from the sidelines, we must also consider the physical condition and fatigue of the players. I wouldn't say that they didn't want to and were playing for one point. Some players may have had fear. This is also related to losing points. It was a good and interesting game. There weren't many goals, and not many episodes either. I thank the players. We have so much work to do... We need to improve the discipline of the game. There are also psychological aspects. We need to attack more in the name of "Neftchi". It's a broad issue. These things won't be fixed in a day. Thanks for the discipline in this game. They did well to be where they needed to be. We didn't give the opponent many episodes. We had games where we conceded four goals. We need to be more incisive in attacks. That was also a poorly perceived aspect. We will eliminate it. We need to do long-term work to fix everything. The players should endure the tempo, and we should be the ones dictating. Everything must be in place to withstand this tempo. We have problems, we will eliminate them. We need time.
- Wouldn't a test match in the winter help you to eliminate them sooner?
- If the problem hasn't been eliminated in 18 games, it won't be eliminated with a friendly match. We've talked about this. If we attribute everything to that training camp, I completely agree. We saw what we worked on on the field. Not everything is fixed with friendly matches. But it will be better, I believe.
- How much time is needed for the fans to see a more ambitious "Neftchi"?
- I already said, March 22nd (laughs).
- Let's look at the reality. Have you said anything to the management about the time frame?
- No, I didn't say that so much time is needed. I'm not the only one who understands football in this club. There's no such thing as what I say is right. The management also understands everything well. We must also understand that they always bring the best. They are also trying to make "Neftchi" better. My players are being criticized on TV and websites. This player didn't do this, this player can't play. If they can't play, how can we play dominant football? To play dominant football, you have to go through a long process. It's something rooted. It depends on the work you've built from the beginning of the year. You have to be able to stand on your feet, and the team and coaching work must be present. There are things that escape your eyes, and I agree, we demand more. But when I demand, I think, can that player do this? The teams above us... Let's exclude "Qarabag". There is already a system issue there. When other teams play against each other, who is dominant? Maybe the issue of dominance I understand is different, the dominance that the questioners understand is different.... The dominant football I understand is not something that can be fixed in a day. For that, you have to have roots, you have to be a standing team. The opponent must already know that this is your game. It cannot be fixed with a two- or three-month coaching change.
