One of the biggest events in Azerbaijani football in recent years occurred in the 2025/26 season. Qarabag, long-time domestic hegemon, ended the season without a title. While the Aghdam club made history in Europe by advancing from the UEFA Champions League league phase to the playoffs, they faced unexpected failures at home. They lost the Premier League title to Sabah and were eliminated by the same opponent in the Azerbaijani Cup semifinals.
The need for renewal was clear. Club management and head coach Gurban Gurbanov understood that repeating past success with the same squad would be difficult. Both physical and psychological fatigue were evident in the team. Some key players began receiving lucrative offers from abroad.
The first wave of changes saw notable departures: Toral Bayramov, Kevin Medina, Emmanuel Addai, Fabian Buntich, Amin Ramazanov, Ramil Sheydayev, and Sami Mmae left. Marko Yankovic, Leandro Andrade, Mateusz Kochalski, Abbas Huseynov, and Elvin Jafarguliyev are also expected to leave.
New transfers show Qarabag is strengthening all positions: Zakaria Savo, Jali Muaddib, Martin Zlomislic, Bruno Langa, and Samuel Lobato have joined. The transfer window is not closed yet; further changes are expected.
Some players brought in last season did not meet expectations, prompting the club to be more cautious. Individual quality and system fit are both crucial. Qarabag enters the new season with a different mindset, aiming to regain domestic leadership and reach the UEFA Europa League group stage.
