QARABAG were once forced to abandon their stadium after it was bombed during a conflict as they prepare to face Liverpool.
The Azerbaijani outfit travel to Anfield on Wednesday night in the .
Qarabag were forced to abandon their Imarat Stadium after it was destroyed during a conflict in 1993Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The European minnows hope to keep their place in the qualifying spots for the play-offs after climbing to 18th in the standings.
Qarabag have played a number of top teams in European competition in recent years and against last year.
But some fans might not know that the club’s old stadium was destroyed in during a conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
The club currently play their games at the Azersun Arena, which is based in the country’s capital of Baku.
They were originally based in the Aghdam region in the south west of Azerbaijan and played their games at the Imarat Stadium.
Qarabag were forced to abandon their ground in 1993 amid the Nagorno-Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The stadium was destroyed in the conflict, which raged on for five years, and the club ended up relocating.
Aghdam is now a ghost town and the ruins of the original stadium are still visible today.
Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League opponents later moved to Baku and now play at the Azersun ArenaCredit: Getty
Their current ground has a capacity of under 5,000Credit: AFP
The club are still intent on returning to Aghdam one day and in 2023 the country’s president Ilham Aliyev vowed to help them with the project.
Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov previously said: “I will be happy when Qarabag return to our Qarabag land.
“To play against European teams in Aghdam would make the people happy. As a soldier, I am happy.”
However, there is much work to be done before Qarabag can safely return to their home.
The area is in desperate need of renovation and it is still covered with mines.
According to the Athletic , the club are hoping to build a UEFA Category IV stadium in the area and believe it could soon host top level matches in Europe.
But they haven’t put a timescale on such a return and will only do so once the population are allowed to go back.
Qarabag held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in November and could qualify for the play-offsCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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