Qarabag carry a 1-0 aggregate lead back to Baku after a disciplined first-leg display in Enschede, and their defensive record — six clean sheets in seven across all competitions — gives them a sturdy platform. Twente must score at least once to stay alive, but both coaches have h…
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Sign inQarabag welcome FC Twente to their usual home, the Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionu, in Baku for the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round on Thursday, August 27. The Azerbaijani champions hold a 1-0 aggregate lead after Kady Borges’ early second-half strike decided the first meeting in Enschede a week ago.
Twente entered the tie as favourites but were undone by a disciplined Qarabag display. Wout Weghorst and an early chance, Daniel Ørjasæter saw a shot blocked, but the Dutch side could not convert their pressure. Borges hit the post shortly after the break, then soon collected a pass from Mouaddib to fire past goalkeeper Unnerstall for the only goal. Twente’s late push saw Bart van Rooij denied by goalkeeper Zlomislić, and Ørjasæter’s follow-up was also saved, leaving the Eredivisie club with a deficit to overturn in Azerbaijan.
Twente’s defensive resources are stretched. Centre-backs Stav Lemkin and Mees Hilgers are sidelined, while Max Bruns missed the weekend league win over PEC Zwolle with injury and remains a doubt. Coach John van den Brom admitted full-back Bart van Rooij was not expected to last 90 minutes in that match but played the whole game, raising questions over his fitness. The attack is likely to feature Weghorst, Marko Pjaca and Daan Rots again.
Qarabag also have absences. Winger Renaldo Cephas is doubtful after sustaining an injury in the opening league match against Shamakhi, while Brazilian midfielder Bicalho is likely to miss out for the same reason. Elvin Jafarguliyev is already ruled out. The departure of Abdellah Zoubir earlier in the window has trimmed the attacking rotation, placing even more responsibility on Borges, Mouaddib and Qurbanly to provide the cutting edge.
Gurban Gurbanov’s side set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 shape that can morph into a 4-3-3 when chasing. In defiance of the high press that Twente employed in the home leg, Qarabag were able to play out through the lines and spring forward in wide areas. The return leg is likely to see longer spells of organised defending, with the aim of releasing the pace of Borges and Mouaddib on the counter. The home crowd – though not sold out – will be buoyant, but the onus is on Qarabag’s midfield to resist a Twente side that must score.
Van den Brom’s system relies on full-backs Bart van Rooij (if fit) and Aske Adelgaard pushing high to provide width while Pjaca and Rots move inside. That leaves space in behind, which Qarabag exploited in Enschede. Mouaddib was a constant outlet, and Borges’ goal came from a move that began in the right channel. If Twente commit both full-backs forward again, Qarabag’s quick transitions through the wings will be the most dangerous weapon of the night.
The tie remains delicately balanced. Twente need at least one goal to have any chance of progress; Qarabag could go through with a draw, but even a one-goal defeat – as long as they score – would force extra time, as the away-goals rule no longer applies. It sets up a tense 90 minutes in the Azerbaijani capital.
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