Qarabağ vs FC København

Qarabağ made an unforgettable start to their maiden Champions League group-stage campaign, pulling off a dramatic 3-2 victory away to Benfica. Having trailed 2-0 inside 16 minutes, the Azerbaijani champions roared back to claim their first-ever win in the competition proper, becoming just the 18th side in history to recover from two goals down to win an away match in the tournament. That landmark triumph was followed by seven unanswered goals in domestic competition [5-0 v Araz-Naxçıvan and 2-0 Gabala], leaving Gurban Gurbanov’s men full of confidence heading into their second fixture. Victory here would carry further significance. The Horsemen are aiming to record successive UCL wins for the first time, a feat that would also make Azerbaijan the 24th nation to see one of its clubs achieve back-to-back victories in the competition. Sheriff Tiraspol were the most recent new addition to that list when they did so for Moldova in 2021. Qarabağ also have prior experience against Copenhagen, eliminating them on away goals in the 2017/18 play-offs after a 1-0 home win and a 2-1 defeat in Denmark. However, their overall record against the Danes reads one win and three losses [1W, 0D, 3L]. Marko Janković is injured, and his absence could be felt in midfield. A 4—2—3—1 pattern may be seen with Camilo Durán spearheading the attack.

Copenhagen, meanwhile, were left frustrated on matchday one as the Lions twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, the equaliser coming via a stoppage-time own goal. Still, Jacob Neestrup’s team are unbeaten in seven European fixtures this season [4W, 3D, 0L], and their resilience is underlined by a run of four games without defeat in the UCL group stage [2W, 2D, 0L]. The major obstacle for the Lions is their away record at this level. Across 20 UCL road trips they have managed just two wins [2W, 4D, 14L], the most recent being a 2-0 victory over Club Brugge in December 2016. Including qualifiers, they do hold fond memories of Qarabağ, thrashing them 10-0 on aggregate in the 1998/99 Cup Winners’ Cup, which remains the Azerbaijani side’s heaviest two-legged defeat. However, with Elias Achouri, Andreas Cornelius and Magnus Mattsson sidelined, Copenhagen’s attacking depth is stretched. Mohamed Elyounoussi and Viktor Claesson may pair up front in a 4—4—2 formation.