Gurban Gurbanov, the head coach of Azerbaijani club Karabakh, addressed the media ahead of the upcoming second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League against Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv. The first leg, played at Dynamo’s home ground, ended with a 1-0 victory for the hosts.
“We have had sufficient time to prepare thoroughly. Despite the defeat in the first match, we will strive to secure the necessary result through a strong performance. I trust that the players will be fully focused on the game until the final whistle. We are facing a team that holds the advantage after the first leg and is well-organized defensively,” Gurbanov commented.
When asked about Karabakh’s promising start in the first game followed by individual errors, he explained, “There are various reasons, possibly including rotation, although it was limited. We made minor changes in the attacking lineup. Opponents often force mistakes—that’s part of football. Such errors usually occur during periods of low tempo. We must correct these mistakes if we want to achieve our goals. Technical errors need to be addressed. Our squad is relatively new, and the players are still learning to complement each other fully.”
Regarding the positioning of Abdella Zubir, Gurbanov was asked if he is more effective on the flank than in central midfield, especially given the presence of Joni Montiel and Kadi. “Players who did not start should reflect on why they weren’t selected from the beginning. We have always seen Zubir playing on the left wing. There will be rotations again tomorrow,” he said.
When questioned about rumors of Zubir’s potential departure, Gurbanov dismissed them, stating, “There is nothing to discuss on that matter.”
Addressing Karabakh’s recent goal drought, now spanning three matches, the coach acknowledged the psychological impact: “It cannot go without consequences. I take it in stride and work to fix it. However, players feel more confident when their efforts translate into results. Such phases happen during certain parts of the season. We need to do more to score. Our plan has been slightly disrupted, but over time we will resolve this and get back on track.”
