Qarabag FK head coach Qurban Qurbanov says his team will need to be careful and responsible when it faces CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round first leg on July 23.
The match is set for 20:00 at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku, and it arrives at an important moment for Azerbaijan's most successful club in European competitions. Qarabag has previously represented Azerbaijan in the Champions League and Europa League group stages, so the expectation around another European run is nothing new.
Qurbanov: a difficult opponent with different systems
Speaking before the game, Qurbanov described CSKA Sofia as a good and unique opponent, noting that the Bulgarian side uses different systems from match to match. That, he said, is why Qarabag must stay focused and disciplined throughout the first leg.
He also said the squad is in a better place than before, with positive changes inside the team and players who are highly motivated and understanding each other better. Even so, he was clear that Qarabag has not yet reached its peak level. The team, he said, should improve game by game as it tries to reach the style of football it wants to play.
That makes the first leg more than just a routine qualifier. Qarabag enters the tie with the advantage of experience, but Qurbanov's comments suggest the club is still building toward its best version. For a team used to European competition, that balance between expectation and development is a familiar one.
There is also still some movement to come in the squad. Qurbanov said the club's work continues and that it definitely wants to make two signings. He added that he hopes for the best as the transfer process goes on.
Joni Montiel is available
Qurbanov also addressed Joni Montiel's status and said fans will see him on the pitch this time. He added that Montiel is still with the team.
That is useful clarity ahead of kickoff, especially with matchday squads still subject to change. Qurbanov noted that some players may not appear on the match squad list, and said that can happen to any player.
For Qarabag, the immediate focus is simple: manage the first leg well, stay sharp against a changing opponent, and build a result at home before the return fixture. The broader picture is still developing, but the short-term task begins in Baku on July 23.
For readers following other early qualifying ties, El-Balad.com has also tracked the wider Europa League picture in its report on Europa League Draw Leaves Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian and Motherwell with Early-August Tests.
