Abdulbari Goozal: Defeat against Fiorentina will raise Gurban Gurbanov’s sense of responsibility

Baku. 10 October. REPORT.AZ/ Interview of Abdulbari Goozal, President of "Azersun Holding" and "Karabakh" FC, to Report:

- How much time do you dedicate to "Karabakh" and are you closely informed of its results?

- We are always fully aware of club’s performance. However, there is team manager and we don’t want to put much pressure on him and intervene with his duties. Gurban Gurbanov is honest and sturdy person. Everything in "Karabakh" has been built on truth and justice. Of course, we worry about our team. In Turkey teams like Fenerbahche, Galatasaray, Trabsonspor win title from time to time. There is tough competition in Azerbaijan as well. Such issues take place in many clubs. Some teams decline, some teams rise. But "Karabakh" has its philosophy, principles, style. We enjoy international respect and high rating. I mean "Karabakh" continues to work seriously.

- During meeting with journalists you stated that Gabala boosted competition by victory over "Karabakh"…

- Some people were complaining that we didn’t have real competitor. For this reason, we couldn’t develop ourselves for European League. I sent message after loss against Gabala. I told to plan work accordingly.

- Don’t you think that Gurban Gurbanov didn’t take to pitch his best team?

- Frankly speaking, it was surprise for me. Gabala is already strong team. Taking this into account, it was strange that some of our best players weren’t on the pitch. That was manager’s approach. On the other hand, when "Karabakh" scores, its rivals lose their motivation. They think it is in natural course of things. But if "Karabakh" loses several matches, it will raise interest as whether 'Karabakh" will score or not. This motivates our competitors to play against us.

- You mentioned Turkey as example. But Galatasaray, Besiktas, Fenerbahche dominate the league in Turkey. Most people believe that no other team but one of these three can win title. At present situation in Azerbaijan is more or less similar, we have three teams better than others …

- Everybody thinks so. But the stronger your rivals, the stronger you have to be.

- What do you think about 1:5 defeat against Fiorentina in group stage of European League?

- We were unlucky in some cases. Sometimes tensions increase in clubs. This is unacceptable. But we never spoil the mood of our players or manager. We tell them never mind, next time you will win. This defeat will boost him, raise its sense of responsibility. We believe in Gurbanov. We enjoy mutual trust.

- During previous two campaigns you couldn’t advance out of group stage. Have you set 1/16 final as this year’s goal?

- Of course, we want to win and to advance.