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Results

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A short but challenging pre-season, designed to get the core of my squad battle hardened before the Champions League playoffs.

As expected, we struggled against the bigger teams before thumping Red Bull Baki to give the side some confidence in the lead up.

Our first opponent in the Champions League playoffs were Croatian side, Dinamo Zagreb. A tougher opponent then I would have hoped for with guys like Marko Pjaca & Angelo Henriquez still present.

We defended admirably on the road to secure a 0 all draw, meaning any win at home would see us through.

With that game locked at 1-1 headed into the final 20 minutes I was understandably nervous, however luck was to be on our side as Dinamo defender, Jeremy Taravel, picked up his second yellow, earning himself an early bath.

We went on to put another 2 goals past the Croatians & book our spot in the next round against, what I assumed would be an easier proposition, Romanian side, US U Craiova.

I was wrong. The Romanians played a very high pressing game which shut our passing game down impressively, averaging a staggering 60% possession over the 2 legs!

Fortunately for us, our defence held firm & we managed to counter affectively producing a 2-1 aggregate win & putting us 1 tie away from the Champions League group stages.

Expectations

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No debate to be had here, its win the league or find another job. I'd expect nothing less. To be fair, if we didn't win the league this time around, I'd probably give up FM for life considering our recruitment efforts!

In the Champions League, we've already met expectations so it job done n that front, however, the group stages would be a much better result.

The board don't consider any of the Cups important but personally, I'd like to defend our Azerbaijan Cup title.

Schedule

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So, we begin our league campaign on the road to Ravan, who beat us in the final game of the regular season last year. We'll be out for blood there!

We then return home to host the Super Cup against arch nemesis', Qarabag Agdam. Much like the board, I'm not overly fussed about that & will most likely rest a few players ahead of our continuing CL assault.

Speaking of which, our path to the Champions League group stages is blocked by Swedish champions, Malmo. That's going to be a very tough tie & as such will be my main focus this month.

Between those games we face Inter Baki in the league, before ending the mnth by once again facing off against Qarabag Agdam.

A perfect start to the campaign would be Champions league progression, the Super Cup title & an undefeated start in the league. Can we do it all? Its possible...Isn't it?

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Jaba Joins Adalari

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In a move that is sure to set tongues wagging throughout Europe, Azerbaijan club, Adalari FK, have landed the signature of one of Brazil's most promising talents.

18 year old, Leo Jaba, has been watched by many of European football's heavyweights, with many believing the young forward possesses the potential to become one of the continents elite players.

Reports have now surfaced that the recently formed club, based in the billionaires playground that is, the Khazar Islands in Azerbaijan, may have completed the deal months ago, well before Jaba's 18th birthday.

Transfer rules in Brazil state that a player may not join a foreign club before their 18th birthday & it is believed the Azeri clubs willingness to discuss terms before that date was a major factor in the starlet's decision to join.

The deal, rumoured to be worth a poultry 1.5M, could well be the buy of the century, according to many scouts, who rate the Brazilian amongst the most promising in world football.

Whether Jaba will ever realise that potential in the relative footballing wasteland that is Azerbaijan, remains to be seen, but the country can definitely expect to see an influx of scouts from many of Europe's biggest clubs, keen to see how the youngster fairs in the rough & tumble world of European football.

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Game of the Month - August

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Results

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I guess mixed emotions is the best way to sum up our start. We crashed out of the Champions League with a heart breaking loss to Malmo that went all the way to penalties &, in the process, sacrificed the Super Cup by resting the majority of my first choice 11.

Double the disappointment there. Perhaps, if I'd known we were destined for the CL exit door, I'd have done things a little different? Probably not though.

Our saving grace, however, has been our start to the league. 3 games played, 11 goals scored, 0 conceded! Perfection, or near too! Even with a constantly rotating line up.

I played an all Azeri line up for our opener against Ravan. Farcad-Azad got a hat trick, Bahattin Kose only missed out on his from the penalty spot! We were rampant!

That was followed, between CL legs, by another 5 goal demolition, this time against Inter Baki. Papiss Cisse the destroyer in that match, becoming our 2nd player to score a hat trick in as many games!

We then bounced back from our CL & Super Cup disappointment by narrowly defeating Qarabag Agdam, 1-0, to keep our 3rd clean sheet from as many league games & send a message to our title rivals.

Table & Stats

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No surprises here as we top the league & dominate the stats sheets.

Papiss Cisse has 4 league goals in 2 starts! Not a bad way to introduce yourself! While young Brazilian, Leo Jaba, has hit the ground running as well, leading the assists charts having made just the 1 league appearance!

Europa Draw

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This could have been worse. Call me mad, but I believe, with a bit of luck, we could get out of this group!

Marseille will undoubtedly be favourites. Maybe Red Bull Salzburg 2nd?

I think very little will separate 2nd from 4th so its not beyond the realms of possibility that we could sneak through here & that's a win in my books!

Schedule

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6 games this month as our schedule begins to get quite hectic.

With the possible exception of Sumqayit City, I see no reason to think our flying start to the league will be dampened here, although injuries & the need to keep players fresh could obviously prove me quite wrong.

The Europa League see's us begin by hosting Polish side Legia Warsaw. That's a game I really think we need to win if we are to stand a chance of progressing. It wont be easy though, nor will the trip to Austria to finish the month!

In all, I'd like to maintain our unbeaten start in the league & book, what would be a very hard earned, 4 points in Europe. If we can do that, we'll be looking very good on both fronts. Wish me luck!

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Player of the Month - August

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Mahir Sukurov

In a month largely defined by squad rotation, veteran fullback Mahir Sukurov stood out as someone who made each appearance count. Match ratings of 9.2 (Ravan), 8.1 (Super Cup), 8.9 (Inter) & 8.3 (Qarabag) in his 4 appearances for the month proving, not only is the old fella good, but he's consistently good.

Given his performances last year, I honestly cannot believe this is the first time Mahir has won one of these! At 33, he just seems to get better with age. I'm really struggling to think of a game he's played for us where his rating wasn't 7+......... I cant!

A true professional who turns up, no matter the opponent, no matter the occasion. Every side should have one

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