“Romanian giant FCSB was eliminated from the tournament with an impressive aggregate score by Shkendija, who approached this match with confidence and self-belief under the leadership of head coach Jeton Bekjiri. Despite their successful performances in the previous rounds, they were not the favorites in this encounter. Qarabag’s vast experience on the European stage positioned them as the superior side in this intense battle.”
These words were said to Idman.biz by Filip Popovski, who served as the Secretary General of the Football Federation of North Macedonia for nearly nine years and is currently the Head of Marketing, Communication, Logistics, and Technical Support of the organization.
Speaking about the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match between Shkendija and Qarabag (0:1), the Macedonian expert said the match went as expected, with few goals: “Although Shkendija lost, they impressed throughout the match with their tactical discipline and solid defense. This reflects the team's development under Bekjiri’s leadership.”
“Qarabag’s attacking strength and experience particularly stood out in decisive moments. However, Shkendija’s tight defensive setup and occasional counterattacks were commendable. While the hosts showed maturity and endurance tactically, they lacked composure in the final third.”
“This match highlighted the difference in European experience, but it also showed Shkendija’s progress towards competing at this level. Having worked as a UEFA stadium director at Qarabag between 2013–2015, I understand the significance of this game and believe that Shkendija playing at the same level in Baku would clearly demonstrate their development.”
“The 0:1 result gives Shkendija hope ahead of the return leg and shows that under Bekjiri’s leadership, the team is on a promising upward path in European football.”
Idman.biz
