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An interview of AZERTAC with Yusif Imanov, the goalkeeper of the Azerbaijan national team, who moved to the Kosovo representative "Malisheva":
– How did your transfer to the Kosovo club happen?
– This transfer was carried out through the agency whose player I am under the contract. There were certain options, we evaluated them, and finally we reached an agreement with "Malisheva". The main thing for me was the right choice. Of course, when choosing, my future career and development prospects were in the foreground.
– Interestingly, why exactly the Kosovo championship? Were there any local or other foreign clubs interested in you?
– To be honest, only one of the local clubs was interested in me, and there was no concrete interest from the others. But the most important thing for me was to get playing practice and create conditions for development. The management of "Malisheva" showed confidence in me, and this attitude played a key role in my decision. I consider this transfer as a gateway to Europe in my career.
– The Kosovo championship is not so developed. Don't you think that you are taking a step back in your career by going there?
– I consider this not a step back, but a step forward. My main goal here is to increase my playing practice, try myself in a different environment and adapt to European football. Yes, maybe there are stronger leagues, but the main thing for a football player is development. I see this step as a new stage in my career.
– Could this transition distract you from the attention of the coaching staff of the national team?
– I don't think so. The main factor that brings a football player to the fore is stable play and performance. If I perform well here, I will not be out of the attention of the national team coaches. On the contrary, this step motivates me to prove myself and regain my place in the national team.
– The Azerbaijan national team will face the national teams of Iceland and Ukraine in September as part of the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. How do you assess their chances?
– They are very strong opponents, both have football traditions. But football is a game open to surprises. If the team fights to the end and believes in its strength, it is possible to win points. As a football player, I expect this from our national team. The main thing is to show our full strength on the field.
– As a member of the national team, how do you assess the chances of "Qarabag" in the League stage of the Champions League?
– "Qarabag" has already proven itself in Europe for years. It is an experienced team, which has repeatedly performed successfully in major tournaments. I believe that they will fight well this time as well and make our fans happy. As a football player, I am also proud of the success of "Qarabag" and I wish them only success.
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