Zira 2:0 Safa Baku: Azerbaijan Premier League Match Result

Match report

Zira claimed a straightforward 2-0 victory over Safa Baku in the opening fixture of the Azerbaijan Premier League season on 16 August. The hosts controlled proceedings from the outset, with E. Aydin and I. Djibrilla finding the net to complete a convincing win. By then, the pattern was clear — Zira dominated possession and created the majority of their chances.

Aydin broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, capitalising on sustained pressure. Djibrilla doubled the advantage shortly after the interval, a goal that effectively sealed the contest. Safa struggled to trouble the Zira defence, managing just three shots off target throughout the entire match.

The statistics tell the story. Zira recorded 186 attacks compared to Safa's 111, while maintaining 64 per cent possession. The hosts registered eight shots on target with none going wide — efficient finishing on display. Safa failed to register a single shot on target, a statistic that reflects their inability to penetrate the final third.

Both sides received two yellow cards, with Ruan Renato booked twice in quick succession for Safa. The home team saw A. Dragu cautioned in the first half, while Guima and A. Diawo picked up bookings for the visitors. Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half, particularly around the 72nd minute when both managers made multiple changes.

Zira now sit top of the table with three wins from three matches, accumulating nine points. Safa remain ninth after one victory and two defeats, sitting on three points. The gap between them at this stage of the season could not be wider.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 64 – 36

Shots on target 8 – 0

Shots off target 2 – 3

Attacks 186 – 111

🟨 38' A. Dragu — Yellow card ⚽ 41' E. Aydin — Goal ⚽ 52' I. Djibrilla — Goal 🟨 56' Guima — Yellow card 🟨 56' Ruan Renato — Yellow card 🟨 57' Ruan Renato — Yellow card ⇄ 65' L. Bayere Junior — Substitution ⇄ 65' V. Pop — Substitution ⇄ 65' T. Fuller — Substitution ⇄ 66' T. Fuller — Substitution ⇄ 66' V. Pop — Substitution ⇄ 66' L. Bayere Junior — Substitution ⇄ 72' G. Papunashvili — Substitution ⇄ 72' I. Djibrilla — Substitution ⇄ 72' D. Mertens — Substitution ⇄ 72' I. Zulfugarli — Substitution ⇄ 73' D. Mertens — Substitution ⇄ 73' I. Zulfugarli — Substitution ⇄ 73' I. Djibrilla — Substitution ⇄ 73' G. Papunashvili — Substitution ⇄ 82' Vieirinha — Substitution ⇄ 83' Vieirinha — Substitution 🟨 90+1' A. Diawo — Yellow card ⇄ 90+1' B. Dansoko — Substitution

Match events

38' 0:0 Safa Baku Yellow card A. Dragu
41' 1:0 Zira Goal E. Aydin
52' 2:0 Zira Goal I. Djibrilla
56' 2:0 Zira Yellow card Guima
56' 2:0 Zira Yellow card Ruan Renato
57' 2:0 Zira Yellow card Ruan Renato
65' 2:0 Zira Substitution L. Bayere Junior off: D. Volkovi
65' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution V. Pop off: F. Yusifli
65' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution T. Fuller off: Luis Felipe
66' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution T. Fuller off: Luis Felipe
66' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution V. Pop off: F. Yusifli
66' 2:0 Zira Substitution L. Bayere Junior off: D. Volkovi
72' 2:0 Zira Substitution G. Papunashvili off: I. Ibrahimli
72' 2:0 Zira Substitution I. Djibrilla off: Q. Aliyev
72' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution D. Mertens off: A. Diawo
72' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution I. Zulfugarli off: R. Huseynli
73' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution D. Mertens off: A. Diawo
73' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution I. Zulfugarli off: R. Huseynli
73' 2:0 Zira Substitution I. Djibrilla off: Q. Aliyev
73' 2:0 Zira Substitution G. Papunashvili off: I. Ibrahimli
82' 2:0 Zira Substitution Vieirinha off: H. Hacyly
83' 2:0 Zira Substitution Vieirinha off: H. Hacyly
90+1' 2:0 Safa Baku Yellow card A. Diawo
90+1' 2:0 Safa Baku Substitution B. Dansoko off: E. Cafarov

Statistics

64 Possession, % 36

8 Shots on target 0

2 Shots off target 3

186 Attacks 111

3 Corners 5

2 Free kicks 4

0 Offsides 0

2 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

2 Goal kicks 2

8 Throw-ins 12

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