As expected Portugal are dominating Azerbaijan’s midfield but however pressure is being applied keeping them away from scoring. Shot from Bernardo Silva but an impressive block form Magomedaliyev. Portugal controlling most of play in the first few minutes within their own half.
Pressure on the box from Portugal and a missed shot. Magomedaliyev making some absolutely fantastic saves from inside and outside the box.
The Manchester City Premier League midfielder Bernardo Silva is also starting but Diogo Jota is not. The Liverpool forward will begin the game on the bench.
Portugal were granted permission to switch their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan to Italy to ensure their Premier League stars would be available.
With travel between Portugal and the UK currently banned due to covid-19, UK-based players such as Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva would face hotel quarantine on their return, ruling them out of club fixtures.
Originally scheduled to take place in Lisbon, it was moved to the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo’s home ground.
Azerbaijan have played out three consecutive 0-0 draws with Cyprus, Montenegro and Luxembourg in their final Nations League games.
Since 1991 Azerbaijan have tried and failed six times to qualify for the World Cup finals and given the calibre of the opponents they’re yet to face in UEFA Group A, a qualification is not looking likely.