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Gurban Gurbanov, the head coach of Qarabag FC, addressed the press conference following the team's match against "Athletic" of Spain in the third round of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Azernews reports.

The head coach expressed that it was a good game overall. He acknowledged that his team had their opportunities and fought until the final whistle, but noted that playing against such a dynamic and fast-paced team proved challenging for the players:

"Overall, it was a very good game. Of course, we wanted not to lose. We had our chances. We fought until the end. It was not easy for the players to play against such a dynamic and fast team."

Gurban Gurbanov that the opponent had applied pressure throughout the 90 minutes: "We started the game very well. We had good attacks. We just lacked precision. The opponent's skill level was higher than ours."

The coach stressed that with each game, the responsibility increases:

"The opponents will also want to win to earn points and increase their chances of advancing to the next stage. We must be prepared for everything. In upcoming matches, we need to play more disciplined. I also thank our fans for not leaving us alone."

Note that Gurban Gurbanov's team, with 6 points, is currently in 10th place. Bilbao's team, with 3 points, is in 21st place.

The UEFA Champions League is a continental tournament that brings together the best teams from Europe's top domestic leagues.

It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of club football, attracting millions of fans around the world. Clubs from UEFA's member countries compete for the title, which is seen as the ultimate achievement for European club teams.

The format of the UEFA Champions League evolved over time. The current structure includes several stages: Qualifying Rounds, Group Stage, Knockout Rounds, and Final.

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League marks the 71st edition of Europe's premier club football competition, organized by UEFA. The final match will take place on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

The champion of this season will earn automatic qualification for the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League group stage, secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup finals, gain entry to the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup group stage, and have the opportunity to face the winner of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.