The Rocky Road to the Top
Masazir is a municipality with nearly 19,000 inhabitants in the Absheron district, just outside the gates of Baku. The place is mainly known for Masazirgöl, an approximately ten square kilometer salt lake, which is also called the "Pink Lake" due to its striking coloration.
This is where Sabah calls home.
When the club was founded in 2017, there was no hint of Champions League talk. Sabah started in the second division and achieved promotion to the top flight in their debut season. The young club first had to establish itself there.
However, the path to the top was by no means straightforward. Especially in the first years after the club's founding, Sabah was viewed critically by local fans.
According to Imran Huseynov, editor at the Azerbaijani sports media "Azerisport", many new clubs emerged in Azerbaijan during this period, but disappeared just as quickly. Sabah was an exception and earned the respect of the fans step by step.
In 2019/20, the club finished sixth in the league, then fifth twice. It wasn't until the 2022/23 season that the big leap was made: under Russian coach Murad Musayev, they finished as vice-champions and qualified for European competition for the first time.
In 2023, Sabah only failed in the Conference League qualification in a penalty shootout against Partizan Belgrade. A year later, they sensationally defeated Maccabi Haifa but were subsequently eliminated by St. Patrick's Athletic.
"In previous seasons, Sabah could have performed better. The squad was undoubtedly good enough for it. Ultimately, however, mistakes and a lack of necessary experience made the difference," recalls Azerbaijani commentator Tural Dadashov.
The first title in the club's history
During the 2024/25 season, former Russian international Vasili Berezutskiy took the helm at Sabah – and led the club to its first major title.
On May 31, 2025, the then only seven-year-old club made history. In the final of the Azerbaijani Cup, Sabah ironically met serial champions Qarabag. In the 119th minute, Tellur Mütallimov secured a 3:2 victory. The first cup in the club's history.
Nevertheless, the success story with Berezutskiy was over immediately afterwards. Just two weeks after the historic triumph, Sabah parted ways with the Russian because they had only finished fifth in the league.
What came next was something hardly anyone, even in Masazir, would have expected: Sabah brought in Valdas Dambrauskas, a coach who wasn't just supposed to develop the club further. He was to lead them to the top of Azerbaijan within a year and ultimately onto European club football's biggest stage.
The eternal champion is dethroned
With Dambrauskas, the club continued to meticulously work on its ascent.
In Azerbaijan, Qarabag had been the benchmark for years. Between 2014 and 2025, the traditional club from Agdam clinched eleven league titles in twelve seasons. Sabah seemed to be just the next challenger.
But it was precisely in the 2025/26 season that the young club pulled off the coup.
Sabah became champions for the first time – with a nine-point lead over Qarabag.
Es ist nicht nur der Erfolg eines Vereins. Es ist ein sehr wichtiges Ereignis für den aserbaidschanischen Fußball insgesamt.
Even more remarkably: In three league duels against the serial champions, Sabah remained unbeaten, celebrating two wins and a draw. Also, in the cup semi-final, the "Owls" once again prevailed against Qarabag.
In the end, they secured the double.
"It's not just the success of one club. It's a very important event for Azerbaijani football as a whole," says Dadashov.
For Sabah, it was the final step from ambitious upstart to a new power factor. And suddenly, even the Champions League was a realistic prospect.
Success factor is a man from Lithuania
However, the era of the new coach Valdas Dambrauskas initially began far from like a fairy tale.
The Lithuanian had taken over Sabah in the summer of 2025. In the Europa League qualification, his team initially failed against NK Celje, and after that, the Conference League qualification against Levski Sofia was the end of the line.
For the third time in a row, Sabah had thus failed in the third qualification round of the Conference League. But in league play, however, it became clear that the signing of Dambrauskas was a stroke of luck.
"Dambrauskas succeeded in raising Sabah to an even higher level," says Huseynov.
By the end of April – four matchdays before the end of the season and with only one defeat – Sabah was confirmed as champions. They also defended the cup.
And then the real miracle began.
The successful run in CL qualification
As Azerbaijani champions, Sabah had to enter the Champions League qualification already in the first round.
First, The New Saints from Wales and Finnish champions Kuopion Palloseura were eliminated. This secured participation in the Conference League at least, and the self-declared minimum goal was achieved.
Sabah could only win from then on. And that's exactly what the club did.
Against Danish champions Aarhus GF, Sabah lost the first leg of the third qualification round away with a score of 1:2. The second leg saw a display of power: 4:0.
In the playoff, Israeli champions Hapoel Beer Sheva awaited. Again, Sabah lost the first leg away with 1:2. Again, the dream seemed to burst. Again, Sabah came back.
In front of 30,000 spectators at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, they were also trailing 1:2 for a long time in the second leg. Then Umarali Rakhmonaliev scored to make it 2:2. In the very last second of regular time, Tellur Mütallimov became the hero.
The man who had already scored for Sabah in the 119th minute in 2025 to secure the club's first cup title, scored again in a decisive moment to make it 3:2.
The game went into extra time. There, Sabah sealed it with two more goals. 5:2 after extra time. Champions League.
"Sabah made the Azerbaijani fans extremely proud and happy," emphasizes Dadashov.
The biggest underdog in the Champions League
Dieser Erfolg ist kein Zufall. Es ist das Ergebnis jahrelanger, konsequenter Arbeit in den Bereichen Vereinsführung, Infrastruktur, Spielerrekrutierung und Coaching.
A look at the numbers shows how extraordinary the story is.
Sabah enters the Champions League with a squad market value of 18.5 million Euros – by far the lowest value of all 36 participants.
The second lowest total market value, that of Slovan Bratislava, is almost double at around 36 million Euros. Even LASK, whose own Champions League qualification is already considered a sensation, comes in at around 51 million Euros.
In Austria, Sabah would currently be number six in terms of market value, behind Salzburg, Sturm, LASK, Rapid, and Austria.
Sabah's technical director Igor Ponomaryov, who became a football Olympic champion with the Soviet Union in 1988, emphasizes that the rise is no coincidence:
"This success is no coincidence. It is the result of years of consistent work in club management, infrastructure, player recruitment, and coaching."
From a Quiz Show to the Champions League
One of the most important architects of this development is undoubtedly Valdas Dambrauskas.
His story would even suffice for a football novel.
As a player, the now 49-year-old only made it to the third division of Lithuania. At 23, he ended his active career, studied engineering, and two years later participated in the Lithuanian version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'.
Dambrauskas won around 4,000 Lithuanian Litas, equivalent to just under 1,200 Euros.
With this money, he moved to London with his future wife, studied sports science and coaching, and began to build his coaching career.
He earned his living, among other things, as a salesman, newspaper delivery person, and kindergarten teacher. At the same time, he worked in the youth sectors of Manchester United, Fulham, and Brentford and invested his money in coaching courses and specialist literature.
From the ninth-tier club Kingsbury London Tigers, he eventually made his way step by step into professional football.
Durch den Gewinn der Meisterschaft und das Erreichen der Ligaphase der Champions League gewann der Litauer die Unterstützung aller Aserbaidschaner.
England, Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Azerbaijan – Dambrauskas has already worked in nine countries.
With Zalgiris Vilnius, he won the double twice in his home country, with RFS the Latvian Cup, with Ludogorets the Bulgarian championship, and with Hajduk Split the Croatian Cup.
Now followed the greatest success of his career.
"In Azerbaijan, he is considered a modern coach with a strong tactical understanding and a particular focus on details," says Ponomaryov.
Huseynov also confirms that the Lithuanian coach has earned high popularity: "By winning the championship and reaching the Champions League league phase, the Lithuanian won the support of all Azerbaijanis."
A hot coaching commodity in Europe?
However, Dambrauskas is not exactly known for long tenures.
Hardly any other coach in European football has worked in so many different countries. That's precisely why the question arises as to how long Sabah can keep its successful coach.
"If you do your job well, you will inevitably be noticed," says Huseynov. Should an offer come from one of the major European leagues, Sabah would likely hardly be able to keep the 49-year-old.
Dadashov, on the other hand, believes in a longer collaboration. "I personally believe that he will stay with the team for many years," says the commentator. After all, fellow coach and Qarabag's successful coach Qurban Qurbanov has been in office for 18 years now.
Dambrauskas himself has stated that Sabah is the strongest team he has coached so far.
Perhaps Sabah is indeed more than just the next stop for the globetrotter.
Bold instead of cautious
Sabah has also developed its playing style under Dambrauskas. "Bold and offensive" is how Imran Huseynov summarizes the approach.
Sabah doesn't retreat and wait for opponent's mistakes; instead, it wants to control the game itself. High pressing, quick transitions, a lot of activity on the wings, and ball possession characterize their style.
Igor Ponomaryov also highlights build-up play from the back and tactical flexibility: Sabah can adapt its formation and approach to each opponent.
The Champions League qualification statistics also show that this offensive approach works: No team scored more goals or celebrated more victories.
Veljko Simic, Tymoteusz Puchacz, and Joy-Lance Mickels, the top scorer, the top assist provider, and the player with the most shots in the qualification, also came from Sabah's ranks.
From Regional League Goalscorer to Record Scorer
The fact that Sabah stands on Europe's biggest stage today is therefore not solely due to the coach.
One of the most important names in the club is Joy-Lance Mickels.
The Siegburg-born attacker once passed through the youth academies of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04. However, it wasn't enough for a big career in Germany.
Mickels played in the Regionalliga, in the 3. Liga, and in the second Dutch league. In 2021, he moved to Azerbaijan.
Since then, the former German youth player has become a club legend: 150 competitive matches, 80 goals, 34 assists.
Mickels is thus by far Sabah's record goalscorer. Last season, he also won the top scorer's crown with 19 goals.
He also delivered in the Champions League qualification: four goals in eight games.
Alongside him, Serbian Veljko Simic also poses a threat. He even scored six goals in qualification, making him the top scorer of the entire competition.
The Cross King from Poland
Another key player comes from Poland.
Tymoteusz Puchacz has already played for Union Berlin and Holstein Kiel in the German Bundesliga and made 15 international appearances for Poland.
Last season, he was initially only on loan – and convinced to such an extent that Sabah permanently signed him in the summer for around 500,000 Euros.
An investment that is absolutely understandable. The left-back contributed two goals and twelve assists to the double. In the Champions League qualification, this was followed by five assists in eight games.
"Puchacz, who provided the most assists in Champions League qualification, must undoubtedly be named as one of the most important players," says Dadashov.
With a market value of around 2.5 million Euros, he is not least the most valuable player in the entire Sabah squad.
The Creative Brain is an Azerbaijani
While Sabah otherwise relies heavily on foreign players, there is an important local player at the heart of the team.
At 30 years old, Aleksey Isayev is now almost a club icon. The attacking midfielder has already played 146 matches for Sabah. He scored 15 goals and provided 38 assists.
In the playoff second leg against Hapoel Beer Sheva, Isayev set up the two decisive goals.
Together with players like French center-back Steve Solvet, Croatian defensive midfielder Ivan Lepinjica, and Kazakh goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, he forms the backbone of the team that can now measure itself against the best in Europe.
And this is precisely where a problem lies that extends beyond Sabah.
A Champions League Club without a National Team Effect?
Because Sabah is a prime example of the current development of Azerbaijani club football. Since last season, the limit on the number of foreign players in the domestic league has been lifted.
19 of Sabah's 27 squad players are foreign. Qarabag and Neftci also rely heavily on foreign players.
Der Hauptproblem ist nicht die Anzahl der ausländischen Akteure, sondern dass einheimische Spieler keine sinnvollen Chancen und wenig Spielzeit erhalten.
This helps the clubs to become internationally competitive – but only to a limited extent for the national team.
Azerbaijan is currently only ranked 126th in the FIFA World Ranking. The best ranking to date was 73rd place in 2014.
"The main problem is not the number of foreign players, but that local players do not receive meaningful opportunities and little playing time," explains Ponomaryov.
On the other hand, Huseynov also sees an opportunity: Due to the high quality of the foreign players, the best local players could be challenged more.
Sabah itself shows both sides. With Isayev and center-back Rahman Dashdemirov, two Azerbaijanis are regularly in the starting eleven. Other talents like Hayal Aliyev or Amin Ramazanov hope for the next step.
"A New Era" for Azerbaijan
For the club itself, the Champions League is already a historic success.
Qarabag was previously the only Azerbaijani club that had made the leap into the Champions League – in 2017/18 and most recently in 2025/26.
Now the country has a second representative.
And they will immediately face some of the biggest names in world football.
On September 10, the opening match will be at Old Trafford against Manchester United. On October 20, Borussia Dortmund will come to Baku. On November 25, the FC Barcelona match, probably the biggest highlight, follows. Finally, on January 27, 2027, Arsenal awaits at the Emirates Stadium. Additionally, Villarreal, Napoli, Slavia Prague, and Viking Stavanger will be other opponents.
"The matches against Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, and Arsenal will be special events not only for Sabah fans but for the entire football community of the country," says Ponomaryov.
Barcelona, in particular, triggers euphoria: "One could say that this is the biggest club that has ever played in Azerbaijan," says Huseynov. Some Sabah players are even big Barca fans themselves.
Between Humility and Hope
So what can actually be expected from Sabah?
A look at Qarabag shows that even seemingly impossible things are possible. While the local rival sensationally reached the top 24 last season, a repeat for Sabah, given the draw, would probably be a huge surprise.
Imran Huseynov considers higher expectations exaggerated – after all, Sabah is a Champions League debutant and has the lowest market value of all 36 participants.
Tural Dadashov sees it similarly but refers to Qarabag's history: "Last year, everyone said the same thing about Qarabag." The pressure is low, and precisely that could become an advantage.
Igor Ponomaryov, in turn, demands that Sabah not be intimidated by big names: The team has already shown that it can hold its own against favored opponents. A point or even a victory against one of the giants would therefore be a bonus – but by no means impossible.
A Cauldron Awaits the Giants
Sabah is expected to play its home matches at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium. The club's own Bank Respublika Arena in Masazir only holds around 9,000 spectators and does not meet UEFA requirements for the Champions League league phase.
The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, on the other hand, offers space for more than 31,000 fans. In the decisive playoff second leg against Hapoel Beer Sheva, the stands were already almost full.
And the atmosphere against Dortmund, Barcelona, and Co. could reach an entirely different dimension.
"Sabah has always received enormous support from its fans in European competitions," says Dadashov.
Ponomaryov even sees a sporting advantage in this: "Full stands and an intense atmosphere can give players extra energy while simultaneously exerting a certain pressure on the visiting teams."
Even the 68,000-capacity Baku Olympic Stadium is also an option as a possible alternative.
For the opponents, it ultimately shouldn't make much difference. Wherever Sabah plays: The Champions League has arrived in Baku.
From Nobody to Challenger
Es könnte durchaus den Beginn einer neuen Ära im aserbaidschanischen Fußball markieren.
So suddenly there is this club, which hardly anyone outside Azerbaijan knew just a few years ago.
Founded just nine years ago. Promoted via the second division. Failed multiple times in the third qualification round. Without much tradition and with by far the weakest squad in the Champions League.
Now Sabah plays against Manchester United, Barcelona, and Arsenal.
"Up until now, Azerbaijani club football was primarily known for the successes of Qarabag. Now, European media are reporting about a club just nine years old that has reached the big stage of European football," says Dadashov.
Perhaps that is even the biggest story behind Sabah's rise. It's not just about a club suddenly playing in the Champions League. It's about the emergence of a new power center in Azerbaijani football.
"It could very well mark the beginning of a new era in Azerbaijani football," believes Dadashov.
Ponomaryov phrases it even more fundamentally: The Champions League should show young players that this dream is achievable.
And so, precisely on its ninth birthday, Sabah FK begins the next chapter. One that leads them from Masazir to Manchester.
