When looking at the first two rounds of the Misli Premier League, certain differences in team performances are clearly visible. In the first round, the fact that the squads did not fully know each other played a significant role.
Speaking to AZERTAC, Aslan Karimov, Head of the Coaches’ Education Department at AFFA, commented on the second round of the Misli Premier League. He noted that teams played more cautiously in their opening games: “This is not just about the names on the roster; the main issue is that most teams had formed 70-80% of their squads with new transfers. However, by the second round, the picture changed. Almost all teams started playing more openly and showed more attacking football to find the opponent’s goal.”
Karimov commented on Neftchi’s goalless draw against Imishli in the second round: “The pressure factor is inevitable in such games. Teams competing for the championship face extra pressure. Naturally, the responsibility is high because everyone expected a different Neftchi this season. I believe the team still needs time to adapt. In the first rounds, when squads are not fully settled, results often depend on individual skills. The ‘Neftchi’ create at least 2-3 real goal-scoring chances in their attacks, meaning they have the potential to score. If you fail to convert the few opportunities in such matches, the result often favors the opponent. Since the newcomers play more defensively, Neftchi’s opponents aim to play compact football and defend closely. In this case, it’s important to make the most of the limited chances. Compared to last season, Neftchi’s defensive line looks more reliable. Last year, defenders often made mistakes in matches where the team failed to score, costing points in 7-8 games. Now, the defensive line seems more stable.”
Regarding Sumgayit’s match against Qarabag, Karimov noted: “Qarabag rested key players as they prepared for the Champions League. Nevertheless, Sasa Ilic’s team managed to create enough scoring chances. The squad strengthened in the summer transfer window, allowing Sumgayit to create opportunities against any opponent. Even when defending, they managed to generate more attacking chances in this game. Naturally, Qarabag created more chances than other teams, but Sumgayit also created at least three real scoring opportunities. Once Qarabag’s main players entered the pitch, it became clear that Sumgayit faced difficulties. The fair result could have been a draw, as experienced players like Leandro Andrade missed opportunities when the team trailed by one goal. Competing in both the league and European competitions remains a heavy burden for Qarabag, as observed last season and likely to continue this year. This affects the team’s performance, as players with less match practice participate while the main squad’s performance can drop. Therefore, the best chance to beat Qarabag in the league is before the group stages of European competitions, which this season is guaranteed either in the Champions League or Europa League. We believe Qarabag will play in the Champions League this season, with at least eight matches, many of which will coincide with league fixtures. These periods will be the most challenging for them, providing other teams with the best opportunities to gain points.”
On Zira’s performance, Karimov said: “The team remains stable despite conceded goals. They play on well-prepared home pitches, which is a significant advantage. Although Gabala’s forwards caused some challenges, Zira’s skill and experience overcame these obstacles. The key is the system’s consistency. Rashad Sadygov’s squad has long adhered to the same playing style, allowing players to understand each other better. Their overall strategy and philosophy clearly provide an edge over opponents. Organizing attacks, adapting during pressing, and building play from the back, all these allow them to force mistakes from opponents and score crucial goals. In the last match, this consistent approach led to two goals and a win. This time, Zira’s playing philosophy prevailed over Gabala’s style.”
In the second round, Neftchi drew 0-0 with Imishli away, Qarabag lost 0-1 at home to Sumgayit, Kapaz lost 2-3 to Karvan-Yevlakh, Shamakhi lost to Sabah, Turan Tovuz lost to Araz-Nakhchivan, and Gabala lost 1-2 to Zira.
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