Gurban Gurbanov: President watches our matches and it is additional motivation for us - INTERVIEW

Baku. 28 August. REPORT.AZ/ Report News Agency presents an exclusive interview with Gurban Gurbanov, manager of Qarabag FC, which has qualified for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in the history of the Azerbaijani footbal...

- At the group stage of the Champions League, Qarabag will face England’s Chelsea, Spain’s Atletico Madrid and Italy’s Roma. How do you assess your rivals?

- There is nothing to assess; all of them are familiar opponents. We will play against the three strongest representatives of the Championship. We have watched the matches of these teams numerous times. I do not know whom I consider better separately. Madrid’s Atletico has played at the Champions League final twice over the last four years. Chelsea and Roma are also known. All the three clubs are powerful. I think that we have received a very good opportunity in terms of attracting more attention to the Azerbaijani football. The arrival of such clubs in Baku and our away matches in England, Spain and Italy are useful in terms of promotion. Foreign media already publish articles about our club. They highlight the fact that Qarabag is the team of IDPs (internally displaced persons), and that the territories are under occupation. Overall, it has become a great success for us.

- Did you want any club to play in the same group with Qarabag before the draw ceremony?

- Frankly speaking, I have never had such an idea. I was waiting for the draw ceremony, as we may play with any club. I have never wanted any special team.

- During the meeting with Qarabag squad on August 24, President Ilham Aliyev especially noted your determined behavior. In general, what is your impression about this reception?

- We were very glad. Everybody saw and felt once again how much Mr. President watches and is interested in the Azerbaijani football. Let us take myself as an example: I first had a telephone conversation with the President after we qualified for the play-off by defeating Finland’s Honka with the score of 2:1 at the qualification stage of the Europa League. In addition, he received us in December of 2014 after the match with Italy’s Inter at the group stage of the Europa League. This time, he also received us. It means that he watches our matches and cares about us. In this case, we should be more responsible and spend more time on our job. We should do this to move forward step by step. As Qarabag, we should try to fulfill our task. The fact that not only fans and media, but also the President watch our games gives us additional motivation; it makes us more responsible.

- Your accomplishments and goals at Qarabag are known. What is your personal target: do you have the desire to work as a head coach at the national team or overseas?

- I do not have any personal target. My goal is to successfully represent the country wherever I am. We should return the debt to our Motherland. If I am at Qarabag FC, this is the most responsible place. As I earlier noted, our soldiers suffer a lot. Many sons of the Motherland lost their lives in the April battles; our underage children became orphans. Our conditions are very good. We live, walk and have a rest in comfort. My purpose is to do my job properly.

- Is Qarabag expected to visit Aghdam it represents?

- As you see, our schedule is very tight. Earlier, there were conditions and opportunities, and we went. Now, I cannot comment on this issue. Everything is crystal clear. You see the state of the footballers. They cannot visit their families and have a normal rest. Therefore, we do not have this on our agenda for now.