By Timucin Turksoy February 18, 2024
Qarabağ FK players celebrate victory over Braga, February 15, 2024, Braga, Portugal / UEFA Europa League X account
Qarabağ FK, the Azerbaijani football club, emerged victorious over Portugal’s Braga FC in a UEFA Europa League knockout game on Thursday.
The match at the Braga Municipal Stadium in Portugal thrilled fans with a total of six goals, resulting in a 4-2 victory for the Azerbaijani side.
Marko Jankovic, Juninho, and Abdellah Zoubir, who each found the net, contributed to Qarabağ FK’s scoreline. Braga FC’s goals came from Banza and Joao Moutinho.
Gurban Gurbanov, the manager of Qarabağ FK, emphasized that the team’s recent triumph in Braga should not lead to complacency as they prepare for the impending second leg of the tie.
“It was very important for our team to fight until the end and adhere to disciplined game against the opponent. Fortunately, the result was in our favor. The victory gave great confidence to our players,” he told journalists.
Gurbanov stressed the importance of maintaining focus and diligence, indicating that the journey ahead still demands their utmost effort and persistence until the last minute.
The second leg of the tie will take place in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, on February 22. The winner, based on aggregate score, will advance to the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Qarabağ FK has participated in the UEFA Europa League group stages on several occasions. Their inaugural appearance in the group stage of a European competition was during the 2014-15 season, marking a significant milestone for the club and Azerbaijani football.
Since then, Qarabağ FK has consistently represented Azerbaijan in European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League.