"Zira" has a little experience from last year. "Araz-Nakhchivan" is new to Europe. They showed activity in the "transfer window."
Idman.biz reports that this was stated by Azerbaijani football coach Tarlan Ahmadov in an interview with Sportal.az.
The experienced specialist assessed the chances of "Araz-Nakhchivan" and "Zira", who will participate in the Conference League: "Zira" experienced a slight stagnation in transfers. The absence of Rafael Utzig remained unclear to me. He was one of the important figures in the attack line. Suma also left. "Hayduk" is one of the big clubs in Croatia. They have great experience. It is not easy for "Zira" for this stage. In any case, I wish them success.
As for "Araz-Nakhchivan", yes, there are new transfers. But how those players will play, time will tell. We know that the opponent is a well-established Greek club. It is a difficult stage for "Araz-Nakhchivan". But nothing is impossible. It was the season of 2012-2013 when "Neftchi" entered the group of the Europa League. We played 1:1 with APOEL in Baku. The late Buyukagha Hajiyev came from the hospital 2 days before the game. Maybe no one believed in us, everyone said that it was Cyprus, it was close to Greece, political issues, weather, etc., they saw our chances as low. But do you see how fortune has changed? Where there is desire and correct strategy, a successful result is possible.
"Araz-Nakhchivan" went to the Eurocups by taking the 3rd place. They also transferred normal football players. It cannot be said that "Araz-Nakhchivan" is weaker than "Aris" anymore. If we got there, it is so. Azerbaijani football has reached the stage where we should not choose opponents. We should think about passing the stage. It is necessary to have this idea. "Neftchi" did this in the 2012-2013 season. It took the first step in our 110-year football history. "Garabagh" has been continuing this trend for a long time. "Gabala" also joined here. Whether we like it or not, Azerbaijani football has passed those stages at the club level. It means that we should not think that a difficult opponent has fallen, it is difficult from a geographical point of view. The opponent is also coming that way. It will be difficult for "Araz-Nakhchivan", it is not easy. There are two human factors, they will meet on the field. Whoever is more calm, prepared, who has more desire and motivation to win, will pass the stage."
It will not be a sensation for Tarlan Ahmadov if "Zira" and "Araz-Nakhchivan" pass the stage: "To be honest, if "Zira" passes "Hayduk", "Araz-Nakhchivan" passes "Aris", it will not be considered a sensation for me. Do you know what I would accept as a sensation? If we pass "Chelsea", reach the final stage of the World Championship, reach the final in the Europa League, the Conference League... Yes, these can be considered sensations, they would surprise me. But at the moment, if our clubs pass the stage, it is not a sensation. I wish all our clubs success."
Idman.biz