In a thrilling encounter on Wednesday, Qarabag FK is set to host Ajax at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, aiming to secure their first victory against Dutch teams in Europe after enduring a five-match winless streak. The Azerbaijani side is eager to bounce back from a narrow defeat and extend their remarkable home unbeaten run across all competitions.
This Champions League match marks only Qarabag’s second appearance in the tournament’s group stage, and they find themselves in an intriguing position. With a total of seven points after five matches, the team is currently ranked 19th in the 36-team competition. Remarkably, they share the same points tally as historic club Barcelona, while sitting just three points behind the coveted top eight spots, which guarantee a place in the knockout round. Notably, a win on home soil could elevate them into a more favorable seeding position for the playoff round, a scenario few anticipated at the start of the tournament.
The Horsemen have been formidable at home, boasting a ten-match unbeaten streak in Baku, including valuable draws against Chelsea and a decisive win over Copenhagen. Gurban Gurbanov’s squad is determined to continue this form, especially after a previous 3-0 defeat to Ajax in the Europa League last season when the circumstances were quite different.
On the flip side, Ajax finds itself in the midst of a tumultuous period. Following a series of managerial changes, Johnny Heitinga’s brief tenure ended in disappointment, resulting in his dismissal right after a heavy loss to Galatasaray. Interim coach Fred Grim has struggled to steady the ship, suffering three successive defeats, including a 2-0 loss to Benfica in the Champions League. However, Ajax has managed to secure two wins in the Eredivisie against Groningen and Fortuna Sittard, albeit these victories have been characterized by narrow margins and a lack of convincing performances.
As the match approaches, team news reveals that Qarabag will be without midfielder Kady Borges due to injury. Leandro Andrade, who has been pivotal for the team, has scored three of their eight Champions League goals so far and is expected to lead the attacking line. On the other hand, Ajax’s lineup could be missing key players such as Wout Weghorst, who may join several teammates on the injury list, further complicating their European campaign.
Both clubs understand the stakes involved. Qarabag hopes to maximize their chances of advancing in the competition, while Ajax is desperate to end their alarming eight-match losing streak in Europe, their longest in club history.
With the atmosphere in Baku set to be electric, predictions suggest a tight contest. Many believe that Qarabag could edge out Ajax, continuing their positive trajectory in front of their home supporters and adding to the Dutch team’s woes in this year’s Champions League.
