The stakes in Baku are clear for both clubs as the Europa Conference League qualifiers reach their decisive phase. The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the tournament’s playoff round, where they are slated to face Dutch side FC Twente after Twente thrashed Slovakian club DAC 1904 6-0 in their first match. For the side that falls short on aggregate, the European campaign ends immediately.
Tofiq Bahramov Stadium Clash and Early Setbacks
The return fixture kicked off at 19:00 Kyiv time on August 13, 2026, with English referee Stuart Attwell officiating at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku.
Injury Crises and Squad Valuations Ahead of Kickoff
Ihor Kostiuk’s side faced mounting roster concerns ahead of the away fixture.
Photo: РБК-Україна
Additional absences sidelined Denys Popov, Kostiantyn Vivcharenko, Vladyslav Zakharchenko, and Kyrylo Osypenko. Mykola Mykhailenko returned to the general group just days prior following knee surgery as detailed by sports outlets.
Tactical Adjustments and the Shift in Dynamo’s Play Style
Behind Dynamo’s European campaign lies a calculated tactical pivot orchestrated by the coaching staff. Following a strong start in Lublin, analysts noted a deliberate departure from intricate build-ups under pressure. Football24 reported that the team shifted to a two-defensive-midfielder model, cutting out complex passing sequences in the defensive third and relying instead on direct clearances toward Ponomarenko and counterattacks through the wings.
Photo: sport.ua
“with clearances to Ponomarenko and counterattacks through the wingers. Such football limited the number of mistakes, which were seen in Rivne just a few days ago. There were no more such sideways passes in the defensive midfield zone: You can watch a detailed discussion of the reasons for Dynamo’s success in the first match against Qarabag in the video on the YouTube channel”
From Instagram — related to qarabag dynamo face uefa, Карабах Динамо Ліга конференцій
Football24 analysis
This pragmatic adjustment mirrors the physical, high-running style drilled in the youth academy and U-19 ranks under Kostiuk. By minimizing risky short passing near their own penalty area, the Ukrainian side capitalized on transitional phases against an opponent known for pushing its players high up the pitch during attacks. Qarabag parted ways with roughly half of its squad following a memorable Champions League campaign, retaining primarily its central midfield anchors Janković and Bicajlo alongside playmaker Kady according to same-event coverage.
Club president Ihor Surkis reportedly held firm talks with the players in a demanding tone following recent matches, pressing for a higher standard of performance as noted in club briefings.
