Azerbaijani club Qarabağ FK is making its mark once again in both domestic and European football. Known for their strong performances, the team consistently ranks among the best in the country, boasting numerous domestic championships and a noticeable presence on the European stage.
Under the guidance of head coach Gurban Gurbanov, Qarabağ has maintained a steadfast 4-2-3-1 formation throughout their current Champions League campaign. Gurbanov has made only four changes to his starting eleven across six games, demonstrating a clear tactical consistency that aims to leverage their strengths effectively.
The squad’s defensive structure is anchored by goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski, supported by a resilient backline featuring Elvin Cafarquliyev on the left, Kevin Medina and Bahlul Mustafazada in central defense, and Matheus Silva on the right. The defensive midfield is bolstered by Marko Jankovic and Pedro Bicalho, who provide crucial cover.
In attack, Emmanuel Addai is deployed on the left wing, with club captain Abdellah Zoubir occupying the central position, and the potent Leandro Andrade on the right. Andrade has been particularly impressive with three goals from just five shots, second only to Atlético de Madrid’s Marcos Llorente for conversion rate in the tournament. Leading the line is summer recruitment Camilo Durán, who has claimed the starting spot from Nariman Akhundzada.
Despite their tactical strengths, Qarabağ’s form in the Champions League has been challenging. Heading into Matchday 7, they sit 22nd in the league phase table with seven points from two wins, one draw, and three losses. The team has scored ten goals but conceded thirteen, averaging 1.67 goals per game while allowing 2.17. Notably, they have relinquished eight points from winning positions, making it a trend that has hindered their campaign.
In contrast, the Atlılar have shown better consistency domestically, currently ranking second in the Premyer Liqası with 36 points from 16 matches, scoring 32 goals and conceding just ten. Their recent loss to league leaders Sabah FK marked only their second defeat of the season.
Statistically, Qarabağ has struggled defensively in recent European outings, managing only one clean sheet in their last 22 matches, achieved against Copenhagen. Additionally, their away form has also been underwhelming, failing to secure a win in their last four away Champions League matches since defeating Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Highlighting individual performances, Nathaniel Brown has excelled in the Champions League, winning 37 of his 47 duels, leading to an impressive success rate of 78.7 percent, surpassing all other players contesting at least 30 challenges in the current tournament.
As Qarabağ FK navigates through the remainder of the Champions League and their domestic league, there remains hope that they can address their inconsistencies and build on their commendable domestic performance, striving to enhance their standing in European competition.