Baku: Qarabag head coach Gurban Gurbanov has assessed today's draw for the UEFA Champions League play-off round.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the experienced specialist shared his thoughts on Newcastle, who will face Qarabag.

Gurbanov expressed his hopes for the draw to bring good fortune and success to the team and its fans. He noted that each stage of the competition brings more formidable opponents, highlighting Newcastle's recent 1-1 draw with PSG in the final round of the league phase as an indication of their strength. Gurbanov emphasized that playing against a Premier League club requires extra effort due to the competitive nature of the league, which he described as the strongest championship in the world.

He acknowledged that the differences between teams in the Premier League are minimal, making every match unpredictable with the potential for numerous goals. Gurbanov reiterated Newcastle's seriousness as an opponent and outlined his team's commitment to preparing well for the match. He also noted that Newcastle's distinct playing style and speed make them a challenging team, equal to any other potential opponent at this stage.