A preview of Azerbaijan’s high-stakes duel with the “minnows”

The match against Liechtenstein in Baku is now behind us. Over 90 minutes, the national team failed to break down visitors who largely sat deep and fought for a point, and the game ended goalless. There is no doubt that Liechtenstein will be determined to produce a more assured performance on home soil. “Why should we lose at home to a team we took a point off away?” Thoughts like this are currently a source of confidence for every opposition player. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, simply have to win. As we know, victory in Vaduz would secure both promotion to League C as group winners and a place in the Euro 2028 play-offs. Ensuring that this weight of responsibility does not “burn” our players is one of the most important considerations, perhaps the most important of all. Delivering that must-win result requires the right approach and proper psychological preparation. Let us acknowledge that Lithuania, who have four points, have a strong chance of beating Liechtenstein at home in their final match. If Azerbaijan, on five points, slip up in Vaduz, there will be an 80 per cent chance of missing out on top spot in the group.

Abbasov has called up 23 players for this crucial match. Let us take another look at the squad:

Goalkeepers: Shahruddin Mahammadaliyev (“Qarabag”), Aydin Bayramov (“Zira”), Emil Balayev (“Neftchi”).

Defenders: Badavi Huseynov (“Qarabag”), Elvin Badalov (“Neftchi”), Anton Kryvotsiuk (“Daejeon Hana Citizen”), Rahil Mammadov (“Turan Tovuz”), Rahman Dashdamirov (“Sabah”), Rufat Abbasov (“Neftchi”), Toral Bayramov (“Bursaspor”), Eshgin Ahmadov (“Gabala”), Tellur Mutallimov (“Sabah”), Gismat Aliyev (“Zira”).

Midfielders: Oruj Mammadov (“Shamakhi”), Farid Yusifli (“Shafa”), Rufat Abdullazada (“Hapoel Kiryat Shmona”), Namik Alasgarov (“Kapaz”), Murad Mammadov (“Pafos”), Abdulla Khaybullayev (“Sabah”), Aleksey Isayev (“Sabah”), Khayal Aliyev (“Sabah”), Emil Mustafayev (“Sumgayit”), Emin Mahmudov (“Neftchi”), Nihat Ahmadzada (“Sumgayit”).

Forwards: Mahir Emreli (“Raków”), Musa Gurbanli (“Qarabag”), Aghadadash Salyanski (“Araz-Nakhchivan”).

It is well known that Qarabag centre-back Bahlul Mustafazada is short of match practice following his return from injury. While his omission is understandable, the absence of the Aghdam club’s left-back Elvin Jafarguliyev is also a significant blow. Jafarguliyev, who has yet to resume team training with his club following surgery, has been missed in the national team’s previous matches in this campaign too. We can expect Aykhan to favour Rufat Abbasov in that position, having coached him at Shamakhi and helped him reach a new level. Whether Rufat can even be compared with an Elvin at the peak of his powers is another matter. In general, though, we should not complain too much about the defence. The fact is that, without Bahlul and Elvin, the back line has conceded just one goal in the Nations League, and that came from the penalty spot away to Lithuania.

Sampdoria’s announcement that their 18-year-old striker Lorenzo Metzettero is injured, meaning the young forward will not make his senior international debut, should not be treated as a major setback. Admittedly, Lori has already had the opportunity to play in Italy’s Serie B and score his first goal. But only the most romantic of supporters would have expected the inexperienced forward to prove decisive against Liechtenstein.

When we consider the opposition’s actual quality, along with the fact that they are without injured captain Nicolas Hasler, Abbasov has a sufficiently strong squad at his disposal. The inclusion on the trip of Murad Mammadov, the winger playing for Pafos in Cyprus, and another young wide forward, Sabah’s Khayal Aliyev, is also encouraging. And we would all love Emin Mahmudov, who has decided to play in the friendly against Andorra after this campaign and then retire, to leave his mark on the night. Of course, that is if his involvement is deemed necessary...

As noted above, the national team will be eager to make their mark in a hugely important match. We will find out how it all unfolds on the night of 13–14 November. For now, it is important to hope for the best and believe that Abbasov’s plans will come to fruition. Let us hope that Mahir Emreli and Mahmudov produce their best, and, in short, that our team give us something to smile about. Good luck, Azerbaijan!