Preview: Trip to the Caspian Sea | OneFootball

With the league phase of the Champions League drawing to a close, Eintracht are heading to Baku with a new coach and hoping for victory over Qarabağ to keep their chances of qualifying for the play-offs alive.

How things stand

Eintracht’s fourth competitive game of 2026 is also their third away fixture in the space of nine days, as the Eagles switch focus from the Bundesliga to Matchday 7 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. 

That means a trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabağ FK on Wednesday 21 January at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium (kick-off 18:45 CET). The Eagles head to Baku with a new-look coaching team following the dismissal of Dino Toppmöller on Sunday, as well as his assistants Stefan Buck, Nélson da Silva Morgado and Xaver Zembrod. 

“In the short term, Dennis Schmitt will take over until further notice,” said board member for sport Markus Krösche on Monday. “He’ll be supported by Alex Meier and Jan Fießer, who remains from the old coaching team. We’ll go to Baku with them and want to win there so that we’re in a good position for the home game against Tottenham.  

“We have two games left in the Champions League, in which, if everything comes together, we want to qualify for the play-offs.” 

Eintracht are currently 30th in the league phase table with four points, while Qarabağ are 22nd on seven points following an away win against SL Benfica, a home triumph over Copenhagen and a draw against Chelsea. The Azerbaijani outfit have dropped eight points from winning positions in the league phase to date this season, more than any other team.

As a reminder of the format, the top eight clubs go straight through to the round of 16; those that finish between ninth and 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs.

Looking back 

The teams’ only previous meetings were in UEFA Europa League qualifying in 2023/14, in which Eintracht followed up a 2-0 away win with a 2-1 home victory. Three of the Eagles’ four goals across those fixtures were scored by none other than Alex Meier, while Qarabağ coach Gurban Gurbanov remains at the helm, having been in charge since August 2008.  

715 competitive games

Gurbanov has overseen 715 matches in all competitions in that time, winning 11 domestic league titles and six cups. “The points are important for both teams,” said the former Azerbaijan coach. “We’ll fight until the end to offer our fans an exciting game.” 

Eintracht are no less determined for victory. “The crucial thing is that everyone is aware of his role,” said Krösche. “For the players that means: what’s my position, how should I carry it out, what’s asked of me?”