Having defeated Denmark's "Copenhagen" club with a "2:0" score in the Champions League yesterday, "Qarabağ" has attracted attention in Europe. Fan interest in our team has also increased in fraternal Turkey. It has reached a point where Turkish fans have started demanding that TRT television, which broadcasts Champions League matches, show "Qarabağ"'s matches.
Turkish football enthusiasts want to watch "Qarabağ"'s matches on TRT screens, not on encrypted channels.
Turkish journalist Necati Şatana told Modern.az that even the strongest football commentator in the fraternal country cannot name 3-4 clubs playing in the Azerbaijani championship:
“Until a few years ago, Turkish fans were not very informed about the Azerbaijani league. This is a reality. However, as a result of "Qarabağ" club's performance and successes, both the Turkish public and media began to show some interest in your football. It is understood that "Qarabağ" is a club playing at a higher level compared to the Azerbaijani league. To be honest, no one watches the Azerbaijani league even now. Only "Qarabağ"'s European matches are followed by Turkish fans and media. There is a very serious football fandom and fanaticism in Turkey. There is an 80% segment of society that supports clubs like "Galatasaray", "Fenerbahçe", "Beşiktaş", and "Trabzonspor". Consequently, since the understanding of football in Turkey is largely built around these clubs, the number of people interested in the Azerbaijani league does not exceed the fingers of one hand.
However, "Qarabağ"'s recent performance and successes have changed this situation. Now, when the Azerbaijani league is mentioned, "Qarabağ" comes to mind.”
N. Şatana emphasized that it is regrettable that "Qarabağ"'s matches are not shown on TRT:
"“There is an encrypted channel called "Tabi", it is paid. I watched the game on this channel. We would not want to watch the game on an encrypted channel. Why doesn't TRT broadcast the game, and why doesn't the Turkish public know Azerbaijani football? We will convey this issue to the officials we meet everywhere we go. My second team is "Qarabağ". My Azerbaijani friends know this. I watch their games. But as we said, there is a gap due to "Qarabağ"'s games being shown on encrypted channels. This needs to be voiced and conveyed to some of our officials. The issue must be brought to the agenda.”
Our Turkish colleague commented on "Qarabağ"'s match against "Copenhagen" yesterday as follows:
“"Qarabağ" has players who understand the concept of tactics very well. In this regard, I highly appreciate coach Gurban. Indeed, he conveys what he wants to the players very well. "Qarabağ" is a compact team that has well grasped the tactics given to them by the coach and implements them on the field. The team does not lose control during the game. "Copenhagen" is a very strong club. Especially, Scandinavian clubs stand out with their physically strong play. Frankly, "Qarabağ" also gained an advantage over "Copenhagen" physically.
"Qarabağ", naturally, took certain positions during the game to protect the score. I can sincerely say that at least 3-4 players in "Qarabağ" club could very easily play in the 4 big clubs in Turkey. There is a very good squad.
I believe that coach Gurban has tremendous football intelligence. He changed his tactics according to the opponent in every part of the game, and the player substitutions were perfectly timed. Players like Kadi and captain Abdullah Zubir in "Qarabağ" club are at a level where they can play for "Galatasaray" and other big clubs. They all know how to behave where.
I think coach Gurban will transcend the borders of Azerbaijan. "Qarabağ" could reach the "round of 16" or "round of 24" in the Champions League. I believe Gurban Gurbanov is better than "Fenerbahçe"'s head coach Tedesco. He is at a level where he can coach in Turkey's “Big Four” and in several European leagues. Gurban Gurbanov is a calm, disciplined, and tactically intelligent head coach. First of all, I congratulate coach Gurban and wish “Qarabağ” success.”
N. Şatana also noted that “Qarabağ”'s greatest characteristic is its discipline:
“For example, "Galatasaray" has a better squad. But it can lose its discipline after a few erroneous goals. "Qarabağ"'s greatest characteristic is that it does not deviate from discipline. The "Benfica" game clearly showed this; making a comeback from 0:2 on such a field and winning is not for every brave man. That's why I place "Qarabağ" in a special category this year. Although it may not be a "Galatasaray" in terms of squad depth, I believe "Qarabağ" is superior in terms of discipline.”
