Qarabağ - FC Twente: return leg in Baku with a narrow advantage for the hosts
Qarabağ and FC Twente play the return leg of their Conference League qualifying tie in Baku, with the hosts bringing a 1-0 advantage from the first match to Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. The return leg is scheduled for 27 August 2026 at 20:00 local time. In Enschede, the decisive moment came in the 52nd minute, when Kady Borges scored after a pass from Musa Qurbanlı.
That single goal completely determines the rhythm of the return leg. Qarabağ do not have to chase the result, while FC Twente must find a way to attack without leaving the hosts too much space for transitions. The match is played at the stadium at 10 Fatali Khan Khoyski in Baku. For the visitors from the Netherlands and neutral spectators, the stakes are very clear - the winner of the tie advances to the main phase of the competition.
Tickets for this match are in demand among supporters.
What the first match showed
The 0-1 result suggests a tight match, but even more important is how the teams were set up. Both started in Enschede in a 4-2-3-1 formation. FC Twente had Wout Weghorst up front, with Daan Rots, Marko Pjaca and Sondre Ørjasæter in the attacking line, while Ramiz Zerrouki and Daouda Weidmann held the midfield.
Qarabağ responded with Musa Qurbanlı as the striker, Kady Borges behind him, and Jaly Mouaddib and Oleksiy Kashchuk in attacking roles. Marko Janković and Samuel Lobato operated from midfield.
The key moment came early in the second half. Kady Borges took advantage of a move in which Qurbanlı set him up for the finish and put Qarabağ ahead. FC Twente then tried to change things with substitutions. Sam Lammers came on for Weghorst, Kristian Hlynsson replaced Pjaca, and later Filip Thorvaldsen and Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink were also given an opportunity. The score did not change again.
- First match: FC Twente - Qarabağ 0-1.
- Goalscorer: Kady Borges in the 52nd minute.
- Assist: Musa Qurbanlı.
- Both teams started in a 4-2-3-1 system.
- Qarabağ enter the return leg with a one-goal advantage on aggregate.
For FC Twente, the most important message is that the deficit is not large, but the way they search for a goal must be controlled. Conceding an early goal in Baku would force the visitors into even more open play. On the other hand, Qarabağ must avoid defending their advantage too passively because Twente have enough physical strength in the penalty area to turn sustained pressure into a succession of crosses, loose balls and set pieces.
Qarabağ: a team that knows how to play two-legged ties
Qarabağ reached this clash after a tie with Dynamo Kyiv. They lost the first match 1-0, but responded in Baku with a 2-0 victory and overturned the aggregate result. They then beat Shamakhi 3-1 in the domestic league before travelling to Enschede and defeating FC Twente 1-0.
Qurban Qurbanov's team therefore put together three competitive victories after the defeat to Dynamo Kyiv. That fact is particularly important for understanding the hosts. Qarabağ come into the return leg not only with an advantage on the scoreboard but also with fresh experience of a match in which they had to recover from a first-leg deficit.
Kady Borges is now the first player Twente must control between the lines. His goal in Enschede showed how dangerous he can be when he gets space behind the opposition midfielders. Jaly Mouaddib and Oleksiy Kashchuk offer movement from the flanks, Marko Janković can organise possession from a deeper position, and Musa Qurbanlı uses his movement to occupy the centre-backs and open space for players arriving from deeper areas.
The behaviour of the full-backs will also be important for the hosts. If Qarabağ push both sides forward at the same time, Twente may find space for direct transitions towards Ørjasæter, Rots or Pjaca. If they keep them deeper, the hosts will have more protection but fewer options for a quality outlet after winning the ball. A 1-0 advantage therefore does not mean Qarabağ can simply protect their own penalty area.
FC Twente: searching for a goal but cannot lose balance
FC Twente have not started the new season in a completely straightforward manner. In qualifying, they beat DAC Dunajská Streda 6-0 at home, while the return leg ended 3-3. In the domestic league, they then lost 1-0 away to Heerenveen before beating PEC Zwolle 3-1. That was followed by a 0-1 defeat to Qarabağ.
Twente's last five competitive matches therefore produced two wins, one draw and two defeats. An important circumstance for coach John van den Brom is the schedule. FC Twente do not have a league match between the first leg and the return leg, leaving the team an entire week to prepare for the journey and the tactical details for Baku.
Ramiz Zerrouki will be one of the key points of the visitors' play. Twente need a player who can switch the attack from one side to the other quickly enough, while at the same time making sure Qarabağ do not get an open midfield after possession is lost. Wout Weghorst remains a clear target for play in the penalty area, especially if the visitors reach a phase in which they need to send more balls in from the flanks.
Sam Lammers offers a different attacking option from the bench. Sondre Ørjasæter and Marko Pjaca could be particularly important if Twente want to attack one-on-one rather than simply fill the penalty area with high balls. Qarabağ will try to close the central corridor in front of the centre-backs, so the visitors need width, but also inward runs from the wingers to create space for the full-backs.
A tactical duel that changes with every goal
The initial scenario favours Qarabağ. The hosts can choose the moments for high pressing and do not have to apply it in every action. FC Twente have to be more active, but there is no reason to turn the opening of the match into an uncontrolled exchange of attacks.
The greatest danger for the visitors is losing the ball while both full-backs are high up the pitch. Qarabağ then have technically gifted players who can turn the first pass after regaining possession into a quick transition.
For Qarabağ, the most important issue is what they will do when Twente keep the ball for long periods. If the home side's line drops too deep, Weghorst can occupy the centre-backs while the visitors' second wave collects loose balls around the penalty area. If Qarabağ push too high, the space behind the first line of pressure can become available to Zerrouki and the players between the lines.
- Twente must find a balance between early pressure and protection against counterattacks.
- Qarabağ must control crosses towards Weghorst and second balls around the penalty area.
- Kady Borges is particularly dangerous when receiving the ball between the midfield and defensive lines.
- Zerrouki is important for the tempo of the visitors' possession and for providing cover behind the attack.
- The first goal in Baku can completely change the structure of the return leg.
If Twente score first, the aggregate score returns to level terms and Qarabağ no longer have the same comfort. If the hosts extend their advantage, the visitors' plan must become considerably more aggressive. That is precisely why the coaches prepare not only the starting eleven but also several different versions of the second half.
History of head-to-head matches
Qarabağ and FC Twente are not strangers to one another. Before this tie, they met in qualifying clashes in 2009 and 2014. The previous four competitive meetings produced one Twente victory and three draws. After Qarabağ's victory in Enschede in 2026, the record in five competitive matches now stands at one victory for each side and three draws.
- FC Twente - Qarabağ 3-1, 2009.
- Qarabağ - FC Twente 0-0, 2009.
- Qarabağ - FC Twente 0-0, 2014.
- FC Twente - Qarabağ 1-1, 2014.
- FC Twente - Qarabağ 0-1, 2026.
Such history is not a prediction, but it clearly shows how tight their competitive meetings have often been. After the 3-1 score in their first clash in 2009, the next four competitive meetings between them did not produce a margin greater than one goal.
Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium: what to know before arriving
Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, or Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionu, is located in Baku at 10 Fatali Khan Khoyski. The stadium opened in 1951 and has approximately 31,200 seats. Matches are played on natural grass, and an athletics track surrounds the pitch.
For international visitors, public transport connections are particularly important. The nearest metro station is Ganjlik, which is also confirmed by the city's metro system in its guide to sports facilities.
The area around Ganjlik is a major transport hub. As part of the redevelopment of the zone in front of the stadium, bus stops, traffic signs and a bus lane were installed. The entrance to the underground car park of Ganjlik Mall is also in the immediate vicinity. However, parking availability on match day should not be taken for granted because traffic arrangements around the stadium may change for major events.
- Address: 10 Fatali Khan Khoyski, Baku.
- Nearest metro station: Ganjlik.
- Stadium capacity: approximately 31,200 seats.
- A transport hub for buses and public transport is organised next to the stadium.
- Visitors arriving by car should check traffic arrangements and garage availability on match day.
For the return leg, there is currently no confirmed public information about the exact gate-opening time that could be safely stated. Visitors should therefore plan to arrive earlier, especially because of security checks and possible changes to traffic around the stadium.
Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly.
Baku as host: the metro is easier than looking for parking
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Ganjlik is a particularly useful reference point for match visitors because the stadium is located immediately next to the metro station of the same name and a large shopping complex. For a supporter unfamiliar with the city, this reduces the need to search for local bus routes or parking spaces at the last minute.
Arriving by taxi or car is possible, but around major matches it is reasonable to expect heavier traffic and possible temporary access changes. The transport hub in front of the stadium was introduced to improve passenger movement and reduce congestion on Fatali Khan Khoyski Street. For most visitors already staying in the city, the metro is therefore a simple option for planning their arrival.
International visitors should separately check the entry rules for Azerbaijan that apply to their nationality. FC Twente specifically drew the attention of travelling supporters to the need to arrange travel formalities in good time. The visa regime is not the same for all travellers, so it should be checked according to one's own passport.
The atmosphere supporters can expect
Qarabağ bring an advantage on the scoreboard to Baku and an opportunity to finish in front of their home crowd what they started in Enschede. Such a situation creates a different kind of tension from an ordinary league match. Every successful Qarabağ escape from pressure can calm the hosts, while Twente supporters will be waiting for the moment that brings the tie back level.
The athletics track means the stands are not immediately next to the touchline as they are in compact stadiums without a track, but a capacity of more than thirty thousand still provides enough room for a powerful atmosphere when the sections are well filled. For the Twente players, it will be important not to let the initial pressure from the home crowd turn into haste on the ball.
It is worth securing tickets in good time. For a neutral spectator, this is an interesting return leg precisely because the aggregate score remains open: Qarabağ have the advantage, Twente have enough attacking options to challenge it, and one goal can change the entire evening.
What to pay particular attention to
First, the position of Kady Borges. If Twente's midfield pushes too high, the scorer from the first match may once again find space between the lines.
Second, the way Twente get the ball to Weghorst. High crosses make sense only if the visitors simultaneously have players ready for the second ball.
Third, Qarabağ's first passes after winning the ball. The hosts do not need to create a large number of quick attacks. A few quality transitions may be enough to make Twente more cautious about pushing their full-backs forward.
Fourth, the reactions from the bench. Lammers, Hlynsson, Thorvaldsen and Vennegoor of Hesselink were already used in the first match in an attempt to change the rhythm, so Van den Brom has several different attacking profiles if the score late in the match requires additional risk.
On match day, the most useful things to check are the current traffic arrangements around Ganjlik, the gate-opening time and the final line-ups. On the pitch, the equation is simple: Qarabağ defend a 1-0 advantage, while FC Twente must find a goal without leaving the hosts space for a finishing blow on the transition.
Sources:
- FC Twente - first-match result, return-leg schedule, current form, history of head-to-head meetings, travel information and coach statements.
- Sky Sports - goalscorer and assist in the first match, starting line-ups, substitutions and course of the match.
- Goal - Qarabağ's results in qualifying and the domestic league during July and August 2026.
- Qarabağ FK - schedule and context of the start of the 2026/27 domestic season.
- Baku Metro - stadium address and confirmation that Ganjlik is the nearest metro station.
- Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan - transport hub at Ganjlik, bus infrastructure and entrance to the Ganjlik Mall underground car park.
- Transfermarkt - capacity, opening year, playing surface and address of Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.