Will we see Qarabag in Europe?

Qarabag's European road leads the "Horsemen" to the Dutch city of Enschede. After a successful showdown with Kyiv's Dynamo, the Aghdam club found itself in the final qualifying round of the Conference League, where Twente awaits.

Now the price of every mistake becomes even higher: ahead are two matches whose outcome will determine the fate of the European season. The Aghdam side has been playing in Europe every year for 12 years. It was back then, in 2014, that they made it into the Europa League for the first time, getting past that very same Twente on aggregate over two meetings. We really do not want this circle to close in a way that is negative for us.

Twente is not an easy opponent, but still quite a passable one. The Dutch play with a 4-2-3-1 system similar to that of the Aghdam side, which can be reshaped in the final part of a match. However, sometimes they can start in a 4-3-3 as well. The team has very good passing accuracy.

Their attacking line is also worth highlighting. Here there is Wout Weghorst, who is well known to us. A player who scored against Qarabag back when he was playing in the shirt of Ajax Amsterdam. Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink is the son of the recently well-known player Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. It would seem he played not so long ago, but how quickly time flies... The height of Twente's forwards should be taken into account. Unlike the Aghdam side, they will make more use of crosses in attack. At the press conference, Gurban Gurbanov noted the difference between the current Dutch team and the squad of twelve years ago. He emphasized that back then Twente had more experienced footballers, while today's club stands out for its dynamism. Every period has its own team.

And what about the Aghdam side? The team has certain problems. First of all, Abdellah Zoubir has left and will now play in Qatar. Elvin Jafarguliyev will be out due to injury, and Cephas has certain health issues. The left flank needs to be reworked somehow. In defense we will see Langa, but the question remains as to who will actually replace Zoubir. Forward Savo is out due to injury. Forward Musa Gurbanli will most likely appear on the field in the second half, while in the starting lineup we will again see Oleksiy Kashchuk in attack. Kady and Jaly Muaddib will most likely also be in the starting lineup.

RENALDO CEPHAS

PLAYER OF FC QARABAG

We will take the field for the match in the Netherlands with the determination to win. I think everything will go well. As for my own game, naturally, I always try to give my all for the team. To be honest, right now I am not in optimal physical shape. However, from game to game the situation will improve, and I will reach my best condition.

In the first round of the Azerbaijani championship, in the game against Shamakhi, Pedro Bicalho was injured; he usually plays in the holding zone with Marko Jankovic. Samuel Lobato may appear in his position. Besides Langa, Badavi Huseynov, Bence Varkonyi and Matheus Silva may appear in defense. And who will take up position in goal? In the game against Dynamo Kyiv we saw Zlomislic. Will the Bosnian goalkeeper appear between the posts again, or will we see the usual Mateusz Kochalski? We will find out before the match. As for the aforementioned losses, they may prevent the Aghdam side from displaying their football. However, it is precisely at such moments that Qarabag can show true character. The team has already gone through slumps and is not afraid of them.

GURBAN GURBANOV

HEAD COACH OF FC QARABAG

We have had many such periods. This is not a difficulty, but a part of our work. We do not want to give up playing in Europe. It is a different level, despite it being the Conference League. We have many new players who can go through adaptation in this responsible atmosphere. At such a time you grow and get stronger. We must be ready for this. If there is a chance to get into the main stage of the Conference League, then we will fight for it.

Twente has analyzed Qarabag and will try to counter the "Horsemen" with their own football. How high will the Dutch be able to press? It will depend on how quickly the Aghdam side can escape this pressing, and they will try to control the ball.

JOHN VAN DEN BROM

HEAD COACH OF FC TWENTE

A high-level opponent awaits us. They have played at a higher level than the Conference League. Qarabag has many individually strong players. They like to have possession of the ball and control the game. Therefore, one must be attentive in matches against them. Despite this, we have chances to go through. We must dominate on the field and force the opponent to fall back.

Qarabag made a winning start in the country's championship and will try to reach the Conference League in order to once again combine the European arena with domestic battles. Gurban Gurbanov's charges have already proven more than once that they know how to withstand pressure and respond to it with results. The first match in Enschede will give only the first part of the answer to the question of who will win the duel. We would like it to be positive for us as well.

EMIN AKHMEDOV