In a disappointing turn of events, Qarabag suffered their second defeat in the main stage of the Europa League , losing 1-2 at home to Swedish side Malmö. Despite taking an early lead, the Azerbaijani champions couldn't hold on, conceding two goals and failing to mount a comeback.
While the result itself is disappointing, the real concern lies in the overall performance of Qarabag. The team’s current form seems like a shadow of its previous seasons.
Idman.biz reports that Qarabag has long been known for its strong game organization, especially at home under head coach Gurban Gurbanov. In past seasons, the team consistently delivered solid performances, particularly on home turf. This year, however, tells a different story.
One early warning sign came with their defeats to Dinamo Zagreb, where Qarabag conceded five goals across two matches but failed to score despite creating several chances. Their subsequent away loss to Tottenham, where the Azerbaijani side had opportunities to avoid a heavy defeat, further underscored their current struggles.
The Malmö match stands out for its significance. Normally, Qarabag has not faced difficulties against teams playing Malmö's style, especially when in form. However, in this game, the home side's performance was far from inspiring. Although Juninho scored and had another goal disallowed, and Zoubir hit the crossbar, the team lacked the creative flair that once defined them. Malmö executed their game plan to perfection, equalizing quickly and taking the lead through Erik Botheim early in the second half. After that, their defense held firm, frustrating Qarabag’s attempts to break through.
After the match, Gurban Gurbanov admitted that the team had lost their rhythm, which now needs to be regained. The question is how quickly they can bounce back. Qarabag has long been known for its discipline and cohesive play, traits that don’t simply disappear overnight. The upcoming international break for the League of Nations could give the team a much-needed pause to reset.
With 20 days remaining until their next Europa League clash against Ajax on October 24, all eyes will be on how Qarabag recovers and what changes they bring to their next home game.
Zaki Feyzullayev
Idman.biz
