Gurban Gurbanov has been talking ahead of Qarabag FK taking on Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
An 8pm kick-off on Tuesday night.
It looks a bit like mission impossible for Gurban Gurbanov.
Having watched on as Newcastle United tore Qarabag FK apart in Baku, Eddie Howe’s side were five up at half-time and it could have been double figures by the break. It would have been if Kochalski, the home goalkeeper, hadn’t been on such top form.
Qarabag FK boss Gurban Gurbanov changed things at half-time, went more defensive, a bit of damage limitation and as Newcastle also eased off, it led to a 6-1 final scoreline in favour of NUFC.
Gurban Gurbanov has now taken his pre-match Newcastle United press conference and stated: “We analysed after the first match. We need to be more careful and responsible in the return. We will try to show ourselves well on the road. This is a tournament where as your team progresses, the level of the opponents also increases.”
A bit of a surprise that Qarabag FK have delayed their trip to Tyneside.
Usually the away side travels earlier and carries out their press conference at the opponent’s stadium, plus also training on the pitch where they are going to be playing, with the media given 15 minutes access at the start of that training session.
However, Qarabag FK instead having Gurban Gurbanov do his press conference in Baku today (Monday 23 February 2026), plus the media allowed access to a training session over there on Sunday. With the Qarabag FK squad not setting off on the long flight to Tyneside until later on Monday.
Also speaking today at the press conference in Baku, was Joni Montiel, the Qarabag FK midfielder saying ahead of Tuesday night: “The level of the Champions League is known to everyone. We must forget the first leg and think about the return match. If we fight like we did in the second half of the game in Baku, we can achieve a good result.”