Gurban Gurbanov watched as Newcastle United defeated Qarabag at St James’ Park.
The result confirms United’s progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Gurban Gurbanov would like to direct comments to Newcastle United fans: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Newcastle fans. They applauded our good attacks and the goal we scored… and sometimes even cheered us on. I would also like to thank our fans who have been with us this season and supported our team until the end. We also tried to make them happy.”
Although Qarabag lost 3-2, it was a clear improvement compared to the home game.
Gurban Gurbanov saw his team torn apart thanks to a masterclass from Eddie Howe and the NUFC players executed his plans so well: Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time in that match in Baku and cruised to a 6-1 victory.
The traveling Qarabag fans must have feared something like this as Newcastle took the lead by two inside six minutes.
However, the combination of the Qarabag rally and United’s understandable recovery meant the visitors could take pride in their game on Tyneside.
Gurban Gurbanov comments: “I would like to thank my players as they have had a long and exciting campaign in the Champions League. I am very happy with each of them for the play, the performance and the character they have shown. Also against Newcastle today they showed themselves in the best possible way. We conceded two goals early on, but the team managed to regroup and never gave up.”
Qarabag have done themselves and their manager proud in the Champions League this season.
The best a club from Azerbaijan has ever done in the competition.
They went through three qualifying rounds, won three and drew against Chelsea in the Swiss League leg.
Gurban Gurbanov reflects on the club’s Champions League campaign: “Every match was a great experience for us. In the competition phase we played against big clubs that operate in different systems. For us, the games against the English clubs were the biggest experience. Of course I would have liked to see us play better in those matches, but I think we showed our best side.”
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