The label of ‘loose cannon’ seems to suit Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, who are often a decidedly tough customer to deal with in European cup qualifying rounds. The team coached by Gurban Gurbanov has already claimed several excellent victims in the last month, and in some cases it has not even started as favourites. In the first one, they had to come back from a 1-0 defeat in the first leg against the Polish team Lech Poznan; the double-header against the Swiss champions Zurich, who were eliminated after a vibrant extra time, was also a bit of a catastrophe. The third round against Hungarian side Ferencvaros was also complicated: after drawing 1-1 in Baku, Qarabag went on to win – and did so with ease – on a difficult pitch in Budapest.
Now the Azerbaijanis must make a last-ditch effort to repeat the historic result of the 2017-18 season, when they reached the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, finishing in a prohibitive grouping with Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Roma.
In their home country, however, they made their debut with a double success: without any major problems, Gurbanov’s men liquidated opponents within reach such as Sebail and Sumqyit. There was no better way to prepare for the first leg of an interesting play-off with Czech Viktoria Plzen, who are dreaming of their fifth participation in the cup with big ears. Michel Bilek’s team first impressed against the Finns from HJK, to whom they conceded a total of seven goals. Then they were twice victorious – both 2-1 – against Sheriff Tiraspol, who had managed to snatch a group stage pass last year.
Michal Bilek ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Two teams apparently in great form, very similar in mentality and attacking propensity. The feeling is that qualification will be resolved in seven days’ time, in the Czech Republic. For the match in Azerbaijan, on the other hand, a draw could not be ruled out, with both teams scoring on at least one occasion.
The likely line-up for Qarabag-Viktoria Plzen
QARABAG (4-3-3): Mahammadaliyev; Bayramov, Huseynov, Vesovic, Mustafazada; Jankovic, Qarayev, Kady; Zoubir, Wadji, Sheydayev.
VIKTORIA PLZEN (4-4-2): Stanek; Havel, Pernica, Hejda, Sykora; Kopic, Bucha, Kalvach, Mosquera; Kliment, Chory.
