Will Sabah overcome the Scandinavian barrier
The Azerbaijani football club Sabah found itself in a very difficult situation after a 2-1 defeat to Denmark's Aarhus in the first match of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
On the one hand, the team displayed attacking football; on the other, its finishing of the chances it created was lacking. Now the Azerbaijani club faces a return match in Baku, where the team will aim to make up the minimal deficit and continue the fight for a place in the next round. The one-goal defeat in Denmark has left the "owls" with quite realistic chances of pulling off a comeback of sorts.
To reach the play-off stage of the qualifiers, Valdas Dambrauskas' side must win by a two-goal margin.
There is also the option of winning in a penalty shootout, though it would be better not to let it come to that. Home support and the experience of previous qualifying matches could play a significant role in this encounter.
VALDAS DAMBRAUSKAS
HEAD COACH OF FC SABAH
A one-goal difference is not that big, so I believe this match will be nerve-racking for both teams. I believe we will make up that goal. All our players are in good health and ready for the game. We will do everything possible to win and to make all of Azerbaijan proud of us.
The statistics of the Danish match show that the Baku club outdid its opponent in almost every aspect except the main one. True, the Azerbaijani champion managed to level the score at the end, but a video replay revealed an offside position in that episode. Sabah had more possession and took 15 shots on goal, while their opponent took 10 shots. They also had the advantage in shots on target, four to three. Unfortunately, two of those three shots found the net. The "owls'" defender Steve Solvet acted somewhat unluckily in certain episodes, especially in the moment of the second conceded goal. We are confident that in the return game he will try to be more attentive. Aarhus actively tried to use their right flank, and after the middle of the second half began to make more use of the left. The Danes counterattack dangerously. In the home game, high pressing could help Sabah, and it will be especially productive if the team quickly makes up the one-goal deficit. The Baku side executed through balls splitting the opponent's defensive line well, thanks to which they created many dangerous chances. The main factor inspiring optimism following the first meeting is that Sabah played no worse than their opponent and can quite possibly do the same in Baku. Only now, better finishing is required.
The optimal option would be if Mikkels, Šimić and Mbina appear on the field in the starting attacking line. Aleksei Isaev could once again show himself in all his glory in the false nine position. Care must be taken in defense, especially with the Ugandan forward James Bogere. This 18-year-old striker scored a brace in the first encounter and was even close to a hat trick. However, football is a team game. Dambrauskas himself noted this factor at the pre-match press conference.
VALDAS DAMBRAUSKAS
HEAD COACH OF FC SABAH
Our opponent does not consist of one player: their squad has 11 good players. I will note that this is the kind of team that, even if it creates few scoring chances, knows how to make good use of them. We have mistakes that we must correct. Whoever better analyzes the small details will win. It all lies in the small details.
Today everything will depend on Sabah itself. The team will have to play boldly, in a disciplined manner, and take every chance at the opponent's goal. Will Sabah be able to come back and give the fans yet more vivid emotions in the main club tournament of the Old World? We will get the answer to this question very soon; Sabah's home game will dot all the i's. And at home, as they say, even the walls help.
EMIN AKHMEDOV
