Captain Garabagh Rashad Sadigov in an interview recalled the previous meeting with Roma, shared his thoughts about the Champions League and told about his coach.
About the group stage Every European country would like to have its representative in the main grid of the Champions League. This gives a big boost to the development of football. Everyone saw with what delight our hit in the group was perceived by players, fans, and indeed, by the whole people. Love for football in Azerbaijan immediately became stronger every five. About football suddenly started talking everything - children, women, the older generation, everyone is discussing our game. It was a very significant step forward. We evolved systematically for eight to nine years, and it was the entry into the Champions League group that was our main goal.
On the rivals As for our rivals, with these teams, we could meet in the UEFA Europa League, and in friendly matches, at these stadiums we also played, for example, in the national team. But the Champions League is something else, something special. The group stage of the Champions League is the peak, the pinnacle of football, along with such competitions as European and World championships. Of course, it is very difficult to play with such rivals at such a high level. Fight against Chelsea, Roma and Atletico with so many local players in the composition - a serious test, a great experience, this school. This is a historic event for all Azerbaijani football, which is still taking its first serious steps.
About government support To progress anywhere, support is needed. In Azerbaijan over the past 10-15 years, sport, in particular football, has been given a lot of attention by the state, considerable money is being poured in. Recently, we, the players, manage to somehow justify the hopes - and at the club level, getting into the group stages of the League of Europe and the Champions League, and at the level of the national team, which began to gain more points in the qualifying tournaments. Yes, maybe we do not achieve great results in European competition, and our national team has not yet reached the final stages of the continental or world championships, but do not forget that our football is young. If we take this factor into account, then our speeches are worthy. We very much try to repay our game and the results for support and care.
About football fans I think football in Azerbaijan is now at the peak of popularity. I can not, however, compare with Neftchi's heyday in the days of the former USSR, since then a lot of fans came to the stadium, even for the matches of the national championship. But in modern history, football in Azerbaijan is so popular just yet was not. As for the fans of "Garabagh", whatever the weather, no matter what our results are, they are always close to the team and always support us. Between us there is a connection, there is a feeling that we are people who are related to each other. Our football players are personally acquainted with many fans, constantly communicate with them. And the atmosphere in the stadiums during the matches of the League of Europe, the Champions League, really, special. Our legionaries, and the teams that come to us know this. Our fans create an excellent atmosphere in the arenas and put pressure on rivals.
About idols of youth In childhood, in my youth I had idols - football players, for which I was sick especially. I can highlight David Beckham and Fabio Cannavaro. And recently - it's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. I respect them both, and it always surprises me how they have maintained a stable form for so many years. But to say that I am directly ill with some football player, that now someone is my idol - there is no such one. Maybe it's due to age, after all I'm already 35. However, there used to be players I could call my idols.
About coach talent Gurbanova Head coach Gurban Gurbanov forms the composition of the team, and we try to implement his philosophy of the game. I would say that "Garabagh" and the game demonstrated by the team is a reflection of the nature of our mentor. Gurbana Gurbanova can be described in the following words: a noble, kind, sincere and humble person. Our team is formed precisely from such guys. We respect the rivals, follow the principles of fair play, do not like to close on the defensive and try to play attacking football against any team.
About the Baku meeting with Roma The previous game with the Romans was our first home match in the group stage of the Champions League. The meeting started for us a little exciting and difficult: quickly missed two goals. It was very important for us to play well in front of our fans, therefore, despite the fact that we conceded with the score 0: 2, the team managed to find the strength and change both the game and the score.
Gradually began to show more serious resistance to the opponent and reduced the gap, but for more, unfortunately, did not have enough strength, or skill. However, everyone I saw after the match, the usual fans - all expressed satisfaction with our game. Of course, we wanted to earn at least one point in this fight, but it did not work out.
Do you want to learn the main football news first? Subscribe to our channel in Telegram! You can also follow our website in Viber and Twitter.