"During my time here, I only played less in the first half of this season. Thank God, now I have regained my place in the starting lineup as before."
Idman.Biz reports that these words were said by Zamiq Aliyev, the defender of the Albanian football club "Egnatia" and the Azerbaijan national team, in an interview with sportal.az.
We present the interview.
- "Egnatia" won the last match against "Bilisht" with a score of 3:0. Can it be said that it was an easy victory for you?
- Yes, it can be said. The game went as we wanted and we won easily. Of course, the victory brings us closer to our goal.
- Are you satisfied with your current situation at the club? Can it be said that you are playing more now?
- Yes, I am satisfied with my current situation. I have played all the games of the second half in the main squad stably. During my time here, I only played less in the first half of this season. Thank God, now I have regained my place in the starting lineup as before. This is also gratifying.
- You play abroad, but you were not invited to the last training camp of the national team. I guess you were expecting an invitation from the national team?
- Every football player wants to play in the national team. This is also the case with me. Before that, I have repeatedly emphasized that playing in the national team, being there permanently is both an honor for me and one of my biggest goals. Of course, I always want to be in the national team, to play for my country. But I do not make the decision. I am focused on my work. I respect every decision. I guess if there is a need, I will get an invitation again. I think that if my stability and performance are good, there will be an invitation again.
- It is interesting, even if you were not invited, the coaching staff of the national team were talking to you about this, are you in contact with them?
- No. They last contacted me during the time of Fernando Santos. No one has contacted me since then.
- The Azerbaijan national team is facing Nations League matches against Lithuania and Liechtenstein. Do you believe that you will be invited to the national team for these matches?
- Whether I believe it or not does not change anything. As I said, my job is to play regularly and perform well in my club. The choice is up to the head coach. I also respect every decision.
- How do you assess "Egnatia"'s chances of winning the championship this season? Do you think this is real?
- Of course, it is real. As the champion of recent years, the goal this year is also the next championship and we will do our best for it. In fact, there is a more intense struggle for the championship this season. All three teams have equal chances. There is only a three-point difference between first and third place. There are two points between us and the leader, and therefore I think that there will be an intense struggle until the very end. God willing, we will be the ones laughing in the end.