The New Saints return to UEFA Champions League action next week with a first-ever meeting against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK.
Although only founded in 2017, Sabah have enjoyed a remarkable rise, establishing themselves as one of the country’s leading clubs through significant investment, ambitious recruitment and domestic success. Last season, they completed a historic league and cup double to book their place in Europe’s premier club competition.
Ahead of the tie, we take a closer look at the club’s history, rise to prominence, playing style and the key players who could have a major influence across the two legs.
History
Founded on 8 September 2017, Sabah FK are one of the youngest clubs in Azerbaijani football.
After competing in the Azerbaijan First Division during their inaugural season, the club were granted a licence to join the Azerbaijan Premier League ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. Sabah marked their top-flight debut with a 1-0 victory over Keşlə before successfully establishing themselves among the country’s elite.
A club on the rise
Despite only being founded in 2017, Sabah FK have rapidly established themselves as one of the emerging forces in Azerbaijani football.
Driven by significant investment and a long-term vision, the club have developed at an impressive pace, building a squad capable of competing at the top end of the domestic game.
That progress was rewarded last season as Sabah secured a historic league and cup double, ending Qarabağ’s long-standing dominance and confirming their status among Azerbaijan’s leading clubs.
Built to compete
Sabah FK’s rapid rise has been supported by considerable investment, allowing the club to attract quality players and build one of the strongest squads in Azerbaijan.
Their ambition has been reflected in the transfer market, with Sabah spending approximately €950,000 during the current summer transfer window alone, while their total transfer expenditure over the last four seasons stands at around €4.4 million.
That level of investment has allowed Sabah to bring in players with experience from some of Europe’s strongest leagues, adding depth and quality throughout the squad.
The New Saints will therefore come up against a side that is not only the reigning champions of Azerbaijan, but also one with the financial resources and ambition to compete regularly on the European stage.
European record
Although still a relatively young club, Sabah FK have quickly established themselves on the European stage.
The Azerbaijani champions have competed in UEFA competition in each of the last three seasons, gaining valuable experience against established opposition from across the continent. They came agonisingly close to reaching the league phase, narrowly missing out after closely contested ties against Slovenian side Celje and Bulgarian outfit Levski Sofia.
Since those campaigns, Sabah have continued to strengthen their squad through significant investment, with the current group widely regarded as stronger than the teams that pushed experienced European opponents all the way.
Their growing continental experience, combined with continued recruitment and ambition, makes Sabah a formidable opponent as they look to establish themselves as regular participants in European competition.
Stadium
Sabah FK play their home matches at the Bank Respublika Arena in Masazir, with the venue known as the Alinja Stadium during UEFA competitions.
Opened in 2014, the stadium has a capacity of 8,600 and has served as Sabah’s home since the club’s formation in 2017.
The modern venue provides the backdrop for both domestic and European fixtures, with supporters located close to the action and able to create an intense atmosphere on matchdays.
The manager
Lithuanian head coach Valdas Dambrauskas was appointed as Sabah FK manager in June 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from across European football. During his coaching career, he has managed clubs including Žalgiris, RFS, Ludogorets, Hajduk Split, Omonia and OFI Crete, winning domestic honours in several countries before taking charge of the Azerbaijani champions.
His tactical flexibility and emphasis on structured attacking play have helped shape Sabah into one of the most organised sides in Azerbaijani football.
Playing style
Sabah FK are a well-organised and tactically flexible side, who predominantly operate from a 4-2-3-1 system.
A key feature of their play is their movement and rotation across the pitch. Their attacking players regularly interchange positions, while their full-backs push forward to support attacks and create overloads in wide areas.
In possession, Sabah look to control the game through patient build-up play, using rotations to create space and find players between the lines.
Without the ball, they are a physically strong team who are difficult to break down, while their aerial presence makes them a threat from attacking set pieces. They can also be dangerous in transition, particularly when breaking quickly after defending set plays.
Key threat: Set pieces
Sabah’s physical profile makes them a major threat from dead-ball situations, with their height and attacking movement creating problems for opponents. They are also capable of turning defensive set pieces into quick counter-attacking opportunities.
Players to Watch
Joy Lance Mickels
Centre Forward / Winger
Mickels is Sabah FK’s main attacking threat and can operate either through the middle or from wide areas. A powerful and direct forward, he is at his most dangerous when running at defenders and attacking space behind the defensive line.
Having developed through the German football system, Mickels has experience of playing at a higher level and has also represented Rwanda at senior international level.
Now back for a second spell with Sabah, he enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, finishing as the club’s leading goalscorer. His pace, strength and finishing ability make him a key player for The New Saints to monitor.
Aaron Malouda
Winger
Malouda is one of Sabah FK’s most exciting attacking players, providing pace, creativity and a threat from wide areas.
The son of former Chelsea and Lyon winger Florent Malouda, Aaron developed through the French youth system before making the move to Sabah, initially on loan before joining permanently.
Comfortable using either foot, he is capable of beating defenders one-on-one and often drifts into central areas to help create attacking opportunities.
His creativity and movement make him one of Sabah’s key attacking outlets heading into the tie.
Tymoteusz Puchacz
Left Back
An experienced Polish international, Puchacz brings significant pedigree to the Sabah FK squad, having represented clubs including Lech Poznań, Union Berlin and Trabzonspor.
A physically strong and attack-minded full-back, he looks to support attacks with forward runs and provides quality deliveries into the penalty area.
Puchacz is also one of Sabah’s main set-piece takers, adding another threat from dead-ball situations.
His experience and quality from open play and set pieces make him an important source of creativity from the left flank.
Previous Meetings
This will be the first-ever meeting between The New Saints and Sabah FK.
The tie also marks the first time Craig Harrison's side have faced Azerbaijani opposition in a competitive fixture, adding another new chapter to the club’s growing European journey.
