Europa League | League Stage

Jan 23, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Tofiq Bahramov adina Respublika stadionu (Baki (Baku))

Qarabag vs FCSB

Match preview

Qarabag reached the last 16 of the Europa League for the first time in their history last season, but they are in danger of crashing out of the league phase of the new 2024-25 competition after an underwhelming campaign so far.

Indeed, the Horsemen have won one and lost five of their six Europa League games, most recently a 1-0 defeat at Elfsborg on 12 December, and currently sit 33rd in the 36-team standings, four points off the last 16 play-off places with just two games remaining.

Since the aforementioned defeat in Sweden, Gurban Gurbanov's side have won their last four Azerbaijan Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 11-2, and last weekend they beat Shamakhi 3-2 at home to move 11 points clear at the top.

Gurbanov will be hoping that Qarabag's home triumph can inspire his players to improve their form on the continent in front of their own fans, as they have lost each of their last five European matches on home soil (including qualifiers), having previously lost just five of 33 such games.

Qarabag will be pleased to know that FCSB have won just one of their last six Europa League away games over 90 minutes, but the Romanian side have fared better in this season's competition and are in contention to qualify for the last 16 for the first time since 2017-18.

Three wins, two draws and just one defeat have been recorded by FCSB, who have been held to goalless stalemates by Olympiacos and Hoffenheim in their last two Europa League outings; only Saint-Etienne in 2014-15 have ever drawn three successive matches at 0-0 in the competition's history.

Elias Charalambous' side currently sit 10th in the 36-team standings, level on points with ninth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and eighth-placed Rangers ahead of their final two matches against Qarabag and seventh-placed Manchester United.

The reigning Romanian Liga I champions, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Hermannstadt last Friday, will be relying on their defensive resilience in Thursday's Europa League clash; they have kept four clean sheets in six matches, the only team to have kept more in a major European competition since the 2005-06 season (nine in 14 UEFA Cup matches).

Recent Performance

Qarabag FK Europa League form:LLLWLL

FCSB Europa League form:WWLWDD

FCSB form (all competitions):WWDDWD

Team News

Qarabag goalkeeper Amin Ramazanov is still recovering from a long-term knee injury, so Mateusz Kochalski should continue between the sticks, protected by a back four of Marko Vesovic, Matheus Silva, Badavi Guseynov and Elvin Cafarguliyev.

Marko Jankovic and Julio Romao will link up in midfield, while either Redon Xhixha or Musa Qurbanly could start up front following the departure of top scorer Juninho, who has returned to his native Brazil to join Flamengo.

FCSB will be without Mihai Lixandru (muscle), Octavian Popescu (knock) and top scorer Darius Olaru (shoulder) as they continue to recover from injury.

Either Daniel Popa or Daniel Birligea, who has netted 11 times in all competitions this season, will lead the line, with David Miculescu and Florin Tanase providing support in attack.

Possible starting lineup

Qarabag FK possible starting lineup:

Kochalski; Vesovic, Silva, Guseynov, Cafarguliyev; Jankovic, Romao; Kashchuk, Benzia; Zoubir; Xhixha

FCSB possible starting lineup:

Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunovic; Chiriches, Sut, Edjouma; Miculescu, Birligea, Tanase