Last summer, Djurgården bought off Musa Gurbanli. At the time, there were great expectations for the forward, who has been a goalscorer in Qarabag and is an A national team player for Azerbaijan. The idea was that the 22-year-old would be the Blue Stripes’ first choice as the team’s central forward. A goalscorer at the front of the field.
But in ten starts and four appearances in the Allsvenskan last year, there were only two Gurbanli goals, and last winter Djurgården brought in Deniz Hümmet, who early grabbed the starting spot as “nine”. After that, the offensive competition in the squad has been further sharpened by, for example, the signing of Tokmac Nguen.
This year, Gurbanli has had to make do with two appearances in the first two group stage matches in the Swedish Cup and one appearance in the Allsvenskan premiere. In the last two games, he has not even been given a place on the bench, for competitive reasons.
A hard blow for the forward, admits coach Thomas Lagerlöf.
– It is clear that he finds it difficult. It’s a sad situation when you end up outside the squad two games in a row. That’s the sad thing about only being able to take out 20 players. It will be a competitive situation and then we have to choose, says Lagerlöf and elaborates:
– We have had three forwards, plus some fairly offensive midfielders, on the bench and then we have judged that it was a better alternative. It’s tough. He is fighting on, but it is clear that it is tough to end up outside.
Do you see him being able to pick himself up and make the team? Do you see any improvement in training and so on?
– Right now it feels like he was a little depressed. And it’s tight between the games, which becomes a disadvantage when you end up outside in this situation. There is a difference when you have a whole week of training on you. Then there will be more tough training where you can show your front feet, Lagerlöf answers and concludes:
– I am absolutely sure that he will come back from this. I understand that it is tough and we all suffer with him that it is a difficult situation.
Gurbanli himself explains that he is trying to keep his level and spirits up through the tough time he is going through.
– In football, situations like this sometimes arise. Everyone can experience it. I’m just trying to do my job as always and keep my head up. I work hard, says Gurbanli.
When Fotbollskanalen talks to the forward after Wednesday’s training session, it is clear that he has things he wants to say and clarify to those who follow Djurgården. His first response to the situation in the club is several minutes long.
– Since I came here, from the first day here, I have always been responsible and worked hard. I have never had a problem with anyone here. I have had a fantastic relationship with my teammates and with many people around the team. I want to say that I have enormous respect for this team. It’s a big club with a nice history and culture. The supporters are amazing.
– I really have enormous respect for this club and many people in it. This is the first time I have played in a club abroad and, as I said, I have great respect for the club and my teammates.
Gurbanli continues:
– Everyone knows who I am, and the most important thing: I know who I am. I know what I have done. I know that no one can say that during a single training session here I didn’t work hard enough or didn’t give 100 percent. Not a single day can anyone point out.
– I have respected everyone and everyone has respected me. In the dressing room, everyone knows who I am. That is the most important thing for me.
He also says:
– I want to state that I have never been disrespectful to anyone. And as for my playing time, I know that’s how it works in football that sometimes the coaches can decide that you can’t play. It is okay. I will always respect the decisions and I will always take responsibility for the situation.
– I’m not the type of person who creates problems when I’m not allowed to play. I take responsibility for myself and I look after my own mistakes. When I look for reasons why things turn out the way they do, I look at what I have done myself. Not on what anyone else has done. I don’t blame anyone else, and I don’t complain about anything. I’m not looking for excuses.
Do you know why you have been out of the squad for the last few games?
– No I do not know.
– Since we came back from the winter break, I haven’t been allowed to play (much), but I haven’t said anything about it. I haven’t even asked (the coaches) why I’m not playing. Because I respect the decisions they make. I’m just fighting to get a place and working hard.
– What can you do if you are not allowed to play? You can only train harder and be respectful to everyone. That is how I have acted. I have not done anything wrong.
So you haven’t talked to the coaches about the situation?
– At least I don’t know the reason (why the playing time was not available).
Have you spoken to Bosse (Andersson, sporting director)?
– Yes, I have talked a lot with Bosse. But I do not know. I can’t say I know what the reason is.
Do you see any opportunity to join the team? How do you look ahead?
– Most important to me is respect. Even outside of football. I do what I can, I do my best. Always. Because that’s my job. It doesn’t matter if you play or not. We get paid to work, to come to training every day and give 100 percent. That’s our job. We have to do it. I do it every day.
– I have also never done anything wrong in terms of disciplinary matters. I have always been on time, I have always been professional. That’s who I am today and that’s what I will be in the future. I’m doing my best. Then we’ll see if things change.
What were your hopes for this year? Did this situation come as a surprise to you when you came back from winter break?
– I didn’t expect this, to be honest. It was a surprise and it still surprises me. Of course, I understand that it didn’t go very well (last fall), but if you take responsibility, understand, try to learn from your mistakes and work hard, things can get better.
– But it hasn’t mattered to me so it’s been a bit of a surprise. But what can I do? It is what it is.
Before the last match against AIK, Aftonbladet noticed that Gurbanli had stopped following Djurgården on Instagram, changed his profile picture and removed the description of himself as a player in Djurgården.
Nowadays, however, he follows the club and in his description it says that he represents the blue-striped.
– I still have everything. I have great respect for this club. It’s a huge club. I have great respect for and feel great love towards our supporters. I really love our supporters. Whatever happens, they always support us. They support all players. That’s why I love and respect all supporters.
So you didn’t delete anything?
– No, I still have everything.
Gurbanli says that he has always felt personal support from Djurgården’s supporters.
– I want to thank all the supporters and I just want them to know that I always take responsibility for my own situation. I know it hasn’t always gone so well for me, but I’ve always looked after my own responsibilities and every day I’ve given 100 percent. I still do.
In the past few days, Expressen reported that Gurbanli is on his way away from Djurgården and looks set to leave the club this summer. The newspaper also stated that Qarabag and clubs in Sweden have heard about the forward.
– I don’t know anything about it, to be honest. The transfer window is closed now so we can’t do anything. We’ll see what happens this summer.
If the situation does not change, what will happen this summer? Are you leaving then?
– We will see what is the best option for us. Let’s go with that.
How do you motivate yourself right now?
– I don’t need motivation. I know this is my job and I know what I have to do. I work hard even when I’m not playing. If you don’t play, you need to practice more. It’s my job.
– I’m still young and I still have a long career ahead of me. I’ll just work harder.
Do you feel that you could have performed better, for example last fall or during training this season?
– Obvious. I always think I can perform better than I do. But even if I play well or score goals, I always think I can do things better. So it doesn’t matter to me.
How do you handle this situation? Are you sad when you go home from training and matches?
– No, I’m not sorry. This is part of my job. I just try to keep my head up and train hard to be fit if I get the chance to play. Then I have to be ready, concludes Gurbanli.
On Thursday, Djurgården face Malmö FF at home in round five of the Allsvenskan. Musa Gurbanli is not selected for that match.
