After overcoming FC Copenhagen of Denmark in the Champions League Qualification playoffs, Qurabag FK became the first ever team from Azerbaijan to take part in UEFA Champions League. However, the Azerbaijan reigning champions were unlucky to be pooled in the same group with European giants like Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and AS Roma.
The Azerbaijan current league leaders suffered a 6-0 rout in their European elite competition at the hands of Chelsea in London. Qarabag Fk then fought to earn a respected loss of 2-1 against AS Roma, and now the Champions League debutant is getting ready to face off with last season's Champions League finalists, Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish side were the favorites to come first in Group C given that they were runners-up in the previous season of the competition. The Madrid outfits are currently in the third position of the group with just a point after drawing at AS Roma and suffering a shocking defeat at their backyard against Chelsea. Diego Simeone's side travels to Azerbaijan knowing well that only a comprehensive win can resuscitate its hopes to progress to the next level of the competition.
Talking points
Qarabag FK has now won four consecutive league titles in Azerbaijan and is on course to add the fifth one in a row this season. The Champions League newcomers are currently leading topping the domestic league table with 19 points despite playing a game less than their title rivals.
Even though The Horsemen of Azerbaijan succumbed to a 6-0 humiliating defeat at Chelsea, the hosts' coach Gurban Gurbanov must be pleased with his team after fighting hard to score their debutant goal in Champions League in the 2-1 defeat against AS Roma. Qarabag FK will be now hunting for their first point (s) in the prestigious against the Mighty Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid heads into this match aware of getting eliminated in the group stage in a competition they were the second best in the previous season. The Madrid outfits have come close to clinching the Champions League title in two occasions under Diego Simeone only to lose the glory to their city rivals, Real Madrid on both events.
The Spanish club hasn't won in its three consecutive matches in all competitions. However, four of the last five games Diego Simeone's team has played have been against teams taking part in the ongoing European championships. Atletico Madrid was unlucky at the weekend when they went ahead against Primera Liga league leaders in first-half only for Barcelona to grab an equalizer late through Luiz Suarez.
Team news
The hosts are happy to go into this massive fixture with a clean bill of health as no player is currently nursing any form of injury. Gurban Gurbanov side will be fresh to face the Spanish giants as the Azerbaijan champions played at lunchtime of Friday thus giving the team a massive four days of rest.
After beating Inter Baku 0-2, with both the late goals coming from Dino Ndlovu, the manager will stick with the South African striker who also provided an assist in the 1-2 defeat against AS Roma. With no selection headache, Gurbanov will most likely line up the same side that was impressive against AS Roma weeks ago.
It's the fixture that the Atletico Madrid tactician will face with confidence given that his side goes into the game with all key players in good health. In fact, only Sime Vrasljko is doubtful following an injury he picked while on international duty with Croatia.
The visitors have had tricky fixtures in the recent past thus denying the manager the comfort of rotating the team.
The manager couldn't rest players for this game given that his team was playing against Barcelona immediately after the international break. Diego Simeone will most likely not underestimate the Azerbaijan side so he will field a strong squad as his side tries to keep up with Roma and Chelsea.
Predictions
It outrightly occurs that the visitors are going inflict a heavy defeat to the hosts. The Madrid outfits need many goals to bridge the massive goals difference Chelsea has already set. Atletico will win the game after scoring more than five goals with Antoine Griezmann getting on the score sheet.
