Interview with Neftçi's Former Bulgarian Midfielder Svetoslav Petrov for Futbolinfo.az.
– First, could you tell us about yourself? How long have you been working as a coach?
– Yes, I’m currently the coach of Bulgaria’s U-17 national team. Before that, I worked in the top division of Bulgarian football. But now, I enjoy working with youth players more.
– How do you remember your career in Azerbaijan? What memories do you have from your time at Neftchi?
– I remember my years in Baku with very fond feelings. I felt great at Neftchi. Last year, when Qarabag played against Ludogorets in Bulgaria, I had the chance to meet Zaur Tagyzada and Elchin Rahimov. It was a pleasure to see them after such a long time.
– You wore the number 77 shirt at Neftchi and are mostly remembered for your goals from free kicks. What was your most unforgettable game and goal for the club?
– All the goals I scored are very special to me, and I remember each of them well. Scoring in the final to help win the Commonwealth of Independent States Cup made me especially happy. Seeing how joyful the whole team and fans were was a very valuable feeling.
– Unfortunately, Neftchi hasn’t been able to perform at the level expected of them for quite some time. The fact that they’ve only won one league title in recent years reflects that. What do you think is the reason behind Neftchi’s struggles?
– I can’t say why Neftchi hasn’t been able to win the title, as I’m not part of the team. On the other hand, you have to consider the great work Gurban Gurbanov is doing with Qarabag.
– This summer, Neftchi made a number of new signings. What are your expectations for them in the new Azerbaijan Premier League season?
– The arrival of new players doesn’t automatically mean the team will win the title. A lot of key elements are needed to build a great team capable of becoming champions.
– One of our representatives in the Conference League, Sabah, will face Bulgaria’s Levski in the third qualifying round. How do you assess their chances?
– Levski are playing well at the moment and have achieved great results. I think both teams are strong, which means we can expect some great matches.
– What are Levski’s strengths? Who is the most dangerous player in their squad?
– Levski’s main strength right now is their collective team play. They have very good players, especially in attack. Marin Petkov, Radoslav Kirilov, and Everton Bala are all fast, like to take on opponents one-on-one, and are exciting to watch. The absence of defensive midfielder Georgi Kostadinov will be an advantage for Sabah, as he is one of Levski’s most experienced players.
– What can you say about Azerbaijani player Jalal Huseynov, who plays for Arda in the Bulgarian league? Do you think he could move to a more ambitious club soon?
– To be honest, I like the way he plays. I believe Jalal has all the qualities necessary to move to a more ambitious club in the near future.
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