"It was an interesting round".

Former coach of the Azerbaijani national team, Arif Asadov, shared these remarks in a statement to Offsideplus.az. The expert discussed his views on the matches held during the XVIII round of the Misli Premier League:

"Neftchi secured a confident victory (4:0) in their clash against Araz-Nakhchivan. The fact that both head coaches are Ukrainian added extra intrigue to the match, making everyone curious about who would emerge victorious. It was clear that Neftchi was better prepared for this game. On the other hand, a decline has been noticeable in Araz-Nakhchivan’s performance in recent rounds. They barely managed to secure a single point against Imishli in the previous round, even though that match was at home. We are used to seeing Araz-Nakhchivan perform more aggressively and with more desire in their home games. However, this time Neftchi seized the initiative from the opening minutes and decided the fate of the match in their favor.

One of the highlights of the round was the Qarabağ – Turan Tovuz (1:0) match. Both teams are positioned close to each other in the standings. Qarabağ had just returned from an away trip, and a certain level of fatigue was visible. Therefore, rotations were expected. However, the importance of this match for Qarabağ was evident from the fact that they fielded a full-strength lineup. Despite the defeat, Turan Tovuz put up a worthy performance and, in my opinion, deserved at least a point. Qarabağ, however, earned a vital three points. It is crucial for them not to drop points at this stage, as the gap with Sabah continues to grow.

Regarding the Karvan Yevlakh – Sumqayit (0:2) match, Karvan was playing at home, but there are serious deficiencies in their squad. We saw this during the winter transfer window as well—the club had to settle mainly for local players, which creates certain difficulties. Sumqayit, following their recent home defeat, absolutely needed three points to stay in the race for the European spots. Sumqayit looked more confident in the first half. In the second half, Fizuli Mammadov tried to change the course of the game, but ultimately, quality told, and Sumqayit secured a well-deserved win."

Asadov also emphasized that the Kapaz – Shamakhi (0:2) match was engaging:

"Shamakhi was forced to avoid losing points after their last defeat. Their determination to win was evident from the very first minutes. As a result, they gained the three points they wanted and stabilized their position in the standings. Kapaz, by losing points, fell behind Gabala. In this regard, the intense struggle to avoid relegation from the Premier League continues.

Another noteworthy match of the round was Zira – Sabah (1:3). Zira had drawn with Neftchi in the previous round and wanted to secure all three points playing at home this time. Sabah, however, is trying to make the most of Qarabağ's current situation and enters every match with the goal of winning. Positive changes are noticeable in the team from game to game. I believe the three goals scored in the first half decided the outcome. They managed to maintain this advantage in the second half. Zira lost crucial points and moved a bit further away from the European qualification zone. I believe the team can regroup in the next matches and achieve the desired results.

One of the highest-scoring games of the round was Gabala – Imishli (3:2). The match was played at a high tempo and was very dynamic. It appears that Gabala has significantly improved its play after the winter break, especially with progress in the attacking line. Previously, they created many chances but couldn't convert them. In this game, striker Domi Massumo showcased his quality by scoring a hat-trick. Gabala can move away from the danger zone by making the most of him in future matches. Imishli, despite the defeat, stood out for their resilience and fighting spirit. They tried their best to earn a point, but Gabala was the stronger side in this match and earned a deserved victory."

It should be noted that Sabah is the league leader with 43 points.