Today, Qarabag will face Ajax in Baku as part of the 3rd round of the Europa League.
Idman.biz presents an article from the Russian website soccer365.ru regarding the match.
The site notes that despite their dominant position in the domestic league, Qarabag has surprisingly underperformed in European competitions: "Qarabag are confidently leading the Azerbaijan Premier League and recently defeated Kapaz 5-0, but their performances in the Europa League have been disappointing. After two rounds, the players have suffered two losses and sit in third place from the bottom. There's still a chance to improve, but they must secure points in upcoming matches, even if the opponents, while not as strong as Tottenham, are still formidable."
The author discusses the issues within Qarabag: "As in the match against Malmö, Qarabag’s coach, Gurban Gurbanov, will again be unable to rely on two right-backs – Marko Vesovic and Matheus Silva are still recovering from injuries. This forces the team to once again depend on the versatile Abbas Huseynov, who can cover multiple defensive positions. However, there’s positive news regarding central midfielder Marko Jankovic, who attended the press conference alongside Gurbanov, signaling that he might start the game against Ajax."
The goalkeeper position has also drawn attention: "Qarabag’s goalkeeping situation remains uncertain. Although Gurbanov has entrusted the spot to Buntić, his performances have been inconsistent, especially in the Europa League. Kowalski, who was tested in the match against Tottenham, has also not stood out with confident play. While some are hoping for the return of experienced goalkeeper Mahammadaliyev, who has often helped Qarabag in European competitions, he has not yet fully recovered from his injury. With playoff chances still on the line, the team needs stable goalkeeping."
The article also highlights Ajax’s ability to win tough matches: "In their last Eredivisie match against Heracles, Ajax secured a hard-fought victory, which sums up their season so far. Despite starting games poorly, Francesco Farioli’s side has been able to turn them around. This character was missing last season. While their rocky start has significantly reduced their chances of winning the Eredivisie, Ajax is in a comfortable position in the Europa League with four points after two rounds."
The absence of Baas is noted as a key issue: "Yuri Baas, who received two yellow cards in the match against Slavia Prague, will miss the game against Qarabag. Farioli has other options, but this season, the 21-year-old's partnership with Šutalo has been the most stable and reliable. Losing him, especially in an away Europa League match, is far from ideal."
Wout Weghorst is highlighted as one of Ajax’s key players: "In the last two matches, the striker has contributed four times (three goals and one assist), despite coming off the bench. With Brobbey still struggling to find his form, Weghorst’s effectiveness opens the door for him to start. Having joined the team this summer, the 32-year-old forward has already helped Ajax secure points in the Eredivisie, and his contribution could be crucial in the Europa League."
The article also mentions that while Qarabag’s defensive reliability remains insufficient, one of the likely reasons is the lack of stability in the goalkeeper position. The author advises not to underestimate Qarabag’s home advantage but still considers Ajax the favorite due to their more consistent play.
Match Prediction: 1-3
İdman.biz
