Artak Oseyan: “There Is No Favourite in the Tie Against Debrecen”

Pyunik head coach Artak Oseyan and team goalkeeper Henry Avagyan took part in a press conference ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round against Hungarian side Debrecen.

The first match between the teams will take place in Debrecen on July 23.

Henry Avagyan

— What is the team’s physical condition, and what do you expect from the upcoming match?

— We are in excellent condition. I also feel good. As always, we have set ourselves the highest objectives. We have come here to show our best.

— As in the first round against Marsaxlokk, you will play the first leg away from home. How convenient is it to have the return leg at home?

— Of course, there is a difference. I think that when the first leg is played away, we can organise our tactics in a way that allows us to return home with a favourable result.

— What can you say about your opponents?

— I am not going to reveal our tactics, but we have studied our opponents thoroughly. We know their strengths and weaknesses and understand how we need to play.

Artak Oseyan

— How do you assess your team’s chances, and what can you say about your opponents?

— Debrecen are a top-quality team with talented players. We are expecting two difficult matches, but I do not think there is a favourite in this tie. I consider the teams’ chances to be equal.

— The Hungarian and Armenian domestic leagues have not started yet. However, unlike Debrecen, Pyunik have already played two competitive matches in the Conference League. Could that be an advantage?

— We will have a certain advantage, but I do not think it will be a decisive factor.

— After the second leg against Marsaxlokk, you said that the team lacked speed and creativity in attack. Have you worked on that?

— Of course. After every match, we analyse our mistakes and work on correcting them. I hope everything will be different in tomorrow’s game.

— The team had to travel a long distance to reach Hungary. Have the players had enough time to recover?

— That was our main concern, which is why we arrived in Hungary two days before the match. I hope the team will have fully recovered by tomorrow’s game.

Debrecen will begin their UEFA Conference League campaign in the second qualifying round, while Pyunik defeated Maltese side Marsaxlokk twice in the first round, winning 3–0 and 1–0.