'Our opponents have the edge': Qarabag FK coach says Newcastle United are huge favourites for Champions League tie
Qarabag FK host Newcastle United in the Champions League Play-Off first leg on Wednesday evening. Kick-off is at 5:45pm, live on TNT Sports.
The managers addressed the media this afternoon ahead of tomorrow's fixtures, and it seems that the Qarabag coach, the brilliantly named Gurban Gurbanov, has opted to go down the mind-games route.
Either that, or he genuinely has no hope for his side progressing to the next phase of the competition.
Eddie Howe has vowed to put out a full-strength side tomorrow and insists he isn't underestimating his opponent, while Gurbanov took a different tack in his presser.
Gurban Gurbanov says Newcastle have the edge in the tie already
Gurban Gurbanov spoke of his admiration for how Newcastle play, insisting that they are clear favourites (via The Chronicle).
“Newcastle United are a well-known and well-established club. They have a style of play that does not suit us. No team in England wants to play against Newcastle because they do not allow their opponents to play their game.
"We want to play a brave, intelligent game on our own pitch. Our opponents have the edge on us in a number of ways but I believe my players will give their best."
It will be interesting to see how Newcastle approach the two-legged tie
It seems Qarabag are happy to wear their 'underdogs' tag with pride for this one, and we're sure that this is just a ploy to try and get Newcastle to take their foot off the gas.
Hopefully, our lads won't rise to the bait. It is, of course, a two-legged tie, so if things do go wrong out in Baku tomorrow, we have the return leg at St James' Park to put it right, where they'll be the more tired side after making the 2500-mile trip.
Ideally, Newcastle will take a healthy lead into that home tie, allowing Eddie Howe to maybe rest one or two players.
