Neftchi PFC head coach Samir Abasov expressed his opinion at a press conference after the first match of the UEFA Conference League play-offs against Maccabi Haifa:

"We are still under the pressure of the game. It was interesting. If so many goals were scored, I think it was a pleasure for the fans. Our goal was to believe in ourselves. This was very important. That is, we knew the level of the opponent, but let's fight. We appeared with the desire to fight against them. We had a plan for the game. The first half was dull, the opponent was more active than us. We were waiting for that. He scored 3 goals in the second half. I think we could do it in the first part. It's just that the last passes prevented us and we couldn't get what we wanted. Our game was better in the second half. Unfortunately, we could not defend the victory. However, the mood is good. I thanked the players for their determination. There is an answer game. Although we know that we will go on a trip with losses, we keep our positivity. Now our main goal is to prepare well and go to the championship match with "Zira".

Then the head coach answered journalists' questions: “We could have done what we did in the second half before the break, but the players did not understand each other well. We played very well in the second half, the team gained confidence. My second goal makes me very happy. We have been working on this for months. We believe in the players a lot. As for the mistakes on the defensive line, there is a way to play the forwards in defense. The third goal was scored due to an individual mistake of our players. I do not want to talk about Ismayil Zulfugarli, he is a young football player. It was taken unintentionally. If he had been experienced, he probably wouldn't have run away looking at the ball, he would have fallen, and it wouldn't have happened. However, it made a very good impression on me. In general, we are satisfied with our young people, we will give them more chances. Mert Celik did not play much in such meetings, it is normal to be excited. Yes, we will take more serious measures against the opponent's players in the return match.