QARABAG - Second time’s the charm
If there was a trophy for the club in Europe infused with the most pride and faith in themselves, the Azerbaijani champions for the past 4 seasons would be a major contender. A total squad value of only ˡ 25m maybe chickenfeed by the standards of the European elites, but that will not deter long-serving head coach Gurban Gurbanov and his resilient group.
This will be their second taste of the Champions League proper. In their first campaign back in 2017-18, they failed to record a single win in a group that also contained Roma, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. A better outcome is the aim this time around.
Highly-skilled Algerian number ten Yassine Benzia left in the summer for Saudi outfit Al Fayha.
How difficult will he be to replace?
In two-and-a-half years at Qarabag, Benzia proved himself a class act, and the loss of his flair and vision leaves Qarabag needing much more than a sticking plaster solution. The man with the responsibility of taking over is Kady Borges, a much-travelled Brazilian.
Has a Qarabag return revived striker Musa Gurbanli after his unsuccessful spell in Sweden with Djurgarden?
A prolific finisher during his first stint at Qarabag, Gurbanli retraced his footsteps to rejoin the club in 2024, and hit double figures for goals and assists combined last term. He received a further boost in the recent Champions League qualifier at Ferencvaros, notching just a few minutes after coming on as a sub.
COACH - Gurban Gurbanov
Has ruled the roost here for 17 years and counting.
KEY MAN - Marko Jankovic
Midfield all-rounder with over 50 caps for Montenegro.
YOUNGSTER - Nariman Akhundzade
Forward, 21, already a senior Azerbaijan international.
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