Euro 2008: Back to Baku with revenge in mind

Serbia take on Azerbaijan at the Tofik Bahramov stadium in Baku this evening in a Euro 2008 qualifier. The match could seal Serbia’s fate, after the abject goalless draw in Armenia on Saturday. As a result, Serbia now lie fourth in Group A, and trail second-place Portugal by three points. Euro 2008: Back to Baku with revenge in mind Most important of all, from the players’ point of view is the fact that qualification no longer lies in their own hands, and they will have to depend on the results of others over the closing stages, if they are to somehow claim a place in next year’s championships in Austria and Switzerland. This evening's protagonists have a certain amount of history going into this match, and the visitors will see tonight’s match as an opportunity to avenge past humblings at the hands of the Azeris in the qualifiers for the 2004 finals. Back then, in spite of remaining undefeated against the group top two of Italy and Wales, their qualification hopes were scuppered by two inexplicably dreadful performances against tonight’s opponents. In Belgrade, they threw away a two goal lead for a final score of 2-2, while even more disastrously in June 2003, in Baku, the Azeris fought back from a goal down to score twice in the last two minutes to claim a famous 2-1 victory. Following recent confirmation that coach Javier Clemente would retain his job, and lead the national team into the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, regardless of whether or not they qualified for the European Championships, Clement told the press, “I don’t agree that the team has had poor results… We have a lot of confidence in these players, and they’re unquestionably the best available. I’d like to see how any other team in the world would cope without five of its key players." As far as team selection is concerned, the Basque is expected to make changes to the team tonight, as a result both of injury and form. Igor Duljaj will replace captain Dejan Stankovic who picked up a second yellow card on Saturday to win his 49th cap, while Milan Bisevac will replace Milan Stepanov who is also suspended. Danko Lazovic is likely to partner Nikola Zigic up front, after another poor showing from out-of-sorts Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic. For the Azeris, the biggest threat is likely to be posed by former Red Star man, Branimir Subasic, of whom national team director Zoran Mirkovic says, “Subasic is a great player and will cause us problems. Even if our defense was at full strength, we’d have to keep a close eye on him.” Tonight’s match kicks off at 5 p.m. CET, and will be attended by Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who are in Baku to open a new national school of football. Elsewhere in Group A this evening, Portugal travel to Almaty to play Kazakhstan, while Belgium welcome Armenia. Should both Portugal and Serbia fail to win tonight, Poland will be guaranteed a place in next years finals. Serbian players brought to their knees on Saturday (FoNet, archive)

Euro 2008: Back to Baku with revenge in mind

Most important of all, from the players’ point of view is the fact that qualification no longer lies in their own hands, and they will have to depend on the results of others over the closing stages, if they are to somehow claim a place in next year’s championships in Austria and Switzerland.

This evening's protagonists have a certain amount of history going into this match, and the visitors will see tonight’s match as an opportunity to avenge past humblings at the hands of the Azeris in the qualifiers for the 2004 finals.

Back then, in spite of remaining undefeated against the group top two of Italy and Wales, their qualification hopes were scuppered by two inexplicably dreadful performances against tonight’s opponents.

In Belgrade, they threw away a two goal lead for a final score of 2-2, while even more disastrously in June 2003, in Baku, the Azeris fought back from a goal down to score twice in the last two minutes to claim a famous 2-1 victory.

Following recent confirmation that coach Javier Clemente would retain his job, and lead the national team into the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, regardless of whether or not they qualified for the European Championships, Clement told the press, “I don’t agree that the team has had poor results… We have a lot of confidence in these players, and they’re unquestionably the best available. I’d like to see how any other team in the world would cope without five of its key players."

As far as team selection is concerned, the Basque is expected to make changes to the team tonight, as a result both of injury and form. Igor Duljaj will replace captain Dejan Stanković who picked up a second yellow card on Saturday to win his 49th cap, while Milan Biševac will replace Milan Stepanov who is also suspended. Danko Lazović is likely to partner Nikola Žigić up front, after another poor showing from out-of-sorts Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelić.

For the Azeris, the biggest threat is likely to be posed by former Red Star man, Branimir Subašić, of whom national team director Zoran Mirković says, “Subašić is a great player and will cause us problems. Even if our defense was at full strength, we’d have to keep a close eye on him.”

Tonight’s match kicks off at 5 p.m. CET, and will be attended by Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who are in Baku to open a new national school of football.

Elsewhere in Group A this evening, Portugal travel to Almaty to play Kazakhstan, while Belgium welcome Armenia. Should both Portugal and Serbia fail to win tonight, Poland will be guaranteed a place in next years finals.