In the coming months, Azerbaijani football fans will see the national team compete in the UEFA Nations League. The campaign will give Azerbaijan an opportunity to return to League C after being relegated to League D based on the results of the 2024/25 season.
Azerbaijan will face Lithuania and Liechtenstein in their group. The first three matches will be played between September 27 and October 4, while the return match against Liechtenstein is scheduled for November 13.
Ahead of the important fixtures, there are concerns over the situation of several key national team players.
İdman.Biz spoke to Azerbaijan head coach Aykhan Abbasov, who celebrates his 45th birthday today, about the team's preparations. Abbasov discussed Renat Dadashov's situation after being left without a club, Nariman Akhundzade's move to Türkiye, Bahlul Mustafazade's fitness and the national team's main objective in the Nations League.
– Of the 183 players who appeared in the opening round of the Azerbaijan Premier League, only 68 were local players. Does the lack of playing time for Azerbaijani footballers make it more difficult for you to select the national team squad?
– We have two players who regularly play in the Champions League: Rahman Dashdamirov and Aleksey Isayev. Badavi and Musa have also played for Qarabag in recent matches. We have five players at Neftchi. There are players who regularly start for Zira. Mahir has also been performing very well for his new club lately. God willing, I hope more local players will get opportunities in the upcoming rounds and be able to help the national team.
– Are you planning to call up any new players who have not previously represented the national team, and are there any particular positions you are looking at?
– We are considering all local players. The position does not matter. We are currently monitoring both those who play regularly for their clubs and those who get fewer opportunities. We also follow our clubs' friendly matches and their preparation process. All the players are under observation. We still have time. There are another four rounds of the championship ahead. We have clubs competing in European competitions, and our players abroad are also playing. After that, we will draw up the final squad.
– One of the national team's key players, Bahlul Mustafazade, recently returned from injury. Do you expect him to play regularly, or should he be gradually reintegrated?
– Bahlul is a very important player for us. He is one of the national team's key players, and his injury was a serious blow for us. Thank God, he has recovered. He has already played in the Azerbaijan championship and did not look bad. He has fully recovered, and I believe he will get more opportunities in the upcoming rounds. As I said, we have one month. A lot will depend on what condition he is in during this period.
– Another national team player, Nariman Akhundzade, recently moved on loan from Columbus Crew to Turkish club Erzurumspor. How could this transfer affect his development?
– Nariman had some problems during the last training camp and was getting limited playing time. He had told us that he was considering changing clubs. Now he has moved to the Turkish Super Lig, and I believe he will get more opportunities there. We know it is a good league. God willing, we hope the move will benefit him.
– The situation with Renat Dadashov is less encouraging, as he is currently without a club. Can he help the national team if he remains without regular match practice?
– Yes, Renat being without a club is something that concerns us. I am very sorry about the situation. There is still time, and perhaps he will find a new club within the next month. But, of course, the fact that he is currently without a club worries us a lot.
– Before the Nations League, Azerbaijan will play a friendly against Tajikistan. How useful can a match against an Asian team be in preparing for European opponents?
– You know, one of UEFA's requirements is that we play a friendly during that free period. We are in League D, while all the teams in League C will begin their qualifying campaigns. Therefore, there are no available opponents from Europe on those dates. We have to face an Asian team. Tajikistan were one of the teams willing to come to Azerbaijan. We also wanted to play at home because travelling would have been more difficult for us. This will be a preparation match. The identity of the opponent is not that important for us. The main thing is to play a friendly in accordance with UEFA's requirement.
– The national team will have three matches within one week. In addition, the match against Lithuania in Ganja will require extra travel. How could this affect the players physically and psychologically?
– If we include the friendly, it will actually be four matches. Playing four matches in such a short period is really difficult for the national team. It will be the first time. Of course, we will need rotation. We have an away trip to Lithuania and will then return home. We have taken all of this into account. Playing several matches in a short period is something that happens in international football. First of all, the players have to be psychologically prepared for it. Of course, we will rotate the squad, but I don't think we will face major problems.
– Is promotion to League C the national team's main and mandatory objective?
– Of course, we want to move from League D to League C. That is our main goal. We have already told the players this during our conversations at the friendly matches. We will work to achieve it. On the other hand, with a national team, unfortunately, it is not always possible to play with the same squad and the same players. There are many injuries and changes. But recently, the players' desire, national spirit and determination to win have been very encouraging. I believe we will demonstrate that by winning these matches.
– You closely follow the performances of Azerbaijani clubs and even attended the away legs of Sabah and Qarabag in the play-off rounds. Finally, what are your expectations for their return matches?
– Sabah are gaining enormous experience in the Champions League. It is their first time in the competition, but reaching the play-off round is already a major achievement. They still have a chance. They played very well in the first half of the opening match. In the second half, the opponent put them under a lot of pressure. They are also a strong team. I believe that in Baku, in front of their own supporters, God willing, Sabah will qualify for the Champions League league phase.
Qarabag, of course, are experienced. They have been playing in European competitions for many years. But there have been many changes, and they had injured players. Despite that, they earned a very good victory over Twente. I think Qarabag have a better chance. Having two of our teams reach the league phase would benefit Azerbaijani football. God willing, let's believe in them and keep them in our prayers.
