Sport24.az
In the first round of the Misli Premier League, "Shamakhi", visiting "Neftchi", drew 1:1. Sport24.az reports that after the game, "Neftchi"'s head coach Samir Abasov answered journalists' questions at the press conference:
- There have been some changes in the team in the new season. Last season you said that I did not assemble the team. But it seems that you participated this time. Rza Jafarov is not in this season's team. Some experts think that he was treated unfairly... There are also thoughts that he will leave the team. If there is injustice against Rza, where do you stand on it?
- Rza was injured. He got injured two days ago. That's exactly why he wasn't in the squad today. He wasn't in the team.
- In the first half, the players seemed confused in the face of the opponent's attacks. In the second half, you couldn't break through the opponent's defense. "Neftchi" continues where it left off last season. Am I wrong, or will you surprise us?
- It was the first game of the season for everyone. It is very difficult for a team that makes a lot of changes. I am satisfied with the game shown by my players. They wanted to win until the end. We missed two dangerous episodes, both standard situations. I don't remember any other attacks where our team was confused. "Shamakhi" was on defense. That's the opponent's style of play. We were doing something too. We had episodes. The players played well. We must understand the difficulty of the new players. Time is needed. We will get better as we win. There was a lot of desire to win in today's game. I thank the players for that.
- What was the point you were dissatisfied with?
- There wasn't any. When experts and fans analyze the game, they may say that some players dropped out of the game. But our job, our duty, is to understand these things. The team is new. Such things will happen. The moment I was a little upset was that we were thinking of something completely different, preparing in a different way. In terms of game format, in terms of players... The elimination of the right and left wingers... The injury in training created problems for us. You prepare one way during the training camp, the absence of 2-3 players in the squad disrupted our plans.
- Were you dissatisfied with Kenan Piric's positioning in the episode where he conceded a goal?
- I think that you shouldn't criticize Piric right after the game. There is a week, there are analyses. He is experienced, he knows good and bad.
- You said a few days ago that if I say what the gaps are, managers will send offers. Will those offers come after today's game?
- I don't think so. It's just words, we say it. I was very satisfied with the team.
- There are reasons to doubt Rza Jafarov's future. Kenan Piric has arrived, his name is not among the captains...
- I said last time that we have three good goalkeepers. It's good for "Neftchi". Competition is strengthening. The captain issue... If you remember, I said that when I stepped into this team, there was so much talk. I appointed Rza to calm down these talks. I wanted the captain issue to be put aside, I wanted our football to be talked about. I said that Rza is a temporary captain. "Neftchi"'s captain is Emin. There are also vice-captains. A lot depends on what the captains do on and off the field. There are people we have chosen, this conversation needs to be closed. Rza, like other footballers, is valuable to us.
