Qarabag's Remarkable Journey in the Champions League
Once ridiculed during their debut in the Champions League group stage eight years ago, Azerbaijani club Qarabag has emerged as a surprise contender in this season's competition.
In their challenging 2017-18 campaign, they suffered heavy defeats, including a 6-0 loss to Chelsea and a 4-0 loss at home, managing only two points in a group that included Atletico Madrid and Roma. This dismal performance earned them the unflattering nickname "carrier bag."
However, Qarabag has since established itself more firmly in European football. After securing six points from their first three league phase matches, they will be taken more seriously in their upcoming match against Chelsea in Baku on Wednesday (KO 17:45).
The team, which has historically struggled in the qualifying rounds, celebrated a dramatic first win in the main stage with a remarkable comeback against Benfica, winning 3-2 after trailing 2-0. This victory prompted Benfica to dismiss their coach Bruno Lage and appoint Jose Mourinho.
Qarabag followed this success with a 2-0 victory over Copenhagen at home. They initially led against Athletic Club in Spain but ultimately lost 3-1. Notably, they have already tripled their goal tally compared to their 2017-18 campaign, raising hopes among fans that they can continue to exceed expectations.
A victory against Chelsea would mark a significant milestone for Qarabag, as it would be their most notable win in their 200th European match.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledges the challenges ahead, especially considering the long journey to Baku and the four-hour time difference. "To be honest, they are a very good team," he stated. "Well-organized and intense in their pressing, it’s clear they have worked together under the same manager for many years, which is impressive. It will be tough, especially since they are playing at home."
He added, "We will arrive back in London on Thursday at 6 AM, and we have a game on Saturday night, so we need to adapt quickly."
Despite their progress, Qarabag has yet to secure a victory against English teams in Europe, having lost all seven encounters and conceding 21 goals while scoring just once against Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
When asked about this record, Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov remarked, "Unfortunately, we haven’t beaten English opposition because the Premier League is the top level, the strongest league in the world. Qarabag has developed significantly since we last faced Chelsea, but the gap remains a concern. We need to play our game, fight hard, and deliver a great performance for our fans. Any win would be a significant achievement for us."
He further noted, "Welcoming Chelsea to Baku is a noteworthy accomplishment for us and will help in the development of this small football nation."
Remarkable Rise in a Troubled Region
Founded in 1951, Qarabag originally hails from Agdam, Azerbaijan. However, due to the ongoing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the team has long played its home matches elsewhere, earning the nickname "the refugee club."
A peace agreement was reached in August to end the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but the club has been displaced from its home city since 1993. The prospect of returning remains unlikely, as the region requires significant rebuilding and is still littered with landmines.
Qarabag's domestic success has granted them entry into UEFA competitions since the 1996-97 season. Key milestones include their first Europa League group-stage appearance in 2014-15, their inaugural Champions League outing three years later, where they earned draws against Atletico Madrid, and their first qualification for the knockout rounds of the Europa League in the 2023-24 season by defeating Portuguese club Braga.
Despite their progress, Qarabag remains a small player at this level. According to Transfermarkt, their squad is valued at under £22 million, averaging less than £1 million per player, and they have spent less than £7 million on transfers since 2020. In contrast, Chelsea has invested over £1.5 billion in three seasons, with a squad now valued at over £1 billion.
Gurbanov commented, "I have never focused on budgets. I just try to adapt, and we must do our best to achieve our goals." With 68 caps for Azerbaijan, Gurbanov is one of the country's most prominent football figures, having secured landmark wins in Europe during his 17-year tenure, making him the longest-serving manager in the Champions League.
Qarabag's improvement and domestic success have shifted perceptions, with the team being dubbed "the Barcelona of the Caucasus" after winning 11 of the last 12 league titles. In Europe, however, they adopt a more pragmatic approach, ranking second in ball recoveries this season and second in clearances, with an average possession share of 46.7 percent.
The squad is predominantly made up of Azerbaijani players, with standout foreign talents including winger Leandro Andrade, who has scored three goals, Montenegrin playmaker Marko Jankovic, and French forward Abdellah Zoubir.
The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, built in 1939 and named after the linesman who awarded Geoff Hurst's infamous goal during the 1966 World Cup final, will host a sold-out crowd of 32,000. Should they overcome Chelsea, the Qarabag players will undoubtedly receive heroic acclaim for achieving back-to-back home victories in a major European competition for the first time in their history.
Can They Qualify?
Based on their performance in last season's Europa League and Champions League, Qarabag's current six-point tally means they are just three or four points away from reaching the play-off round. A victory against Chelsea would significantly boost their chances of advancing directly to the knockout stage. However, the play-offs are a more realistic target, with Napoli, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Liverpool still to face during the league phase.