“Disappointed with the result”: Vahe Gevorgyan comments on Alashkert’s draw with CFR Cluj

Alashkert head coach Vahe Gevorgyan commented on the draw against Romanian side CFR Cluj in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The match in Yerevan ended 1-1. The Armenian team’s coach discussed the missed chances, the reason for conceding the equaliser and the mood ahead of the return leg.

Vahe Gevorgyan’s press conference after the Alashkert 1-1 CFR Cluj match

— The match ended in a draw even though Alashkert had the upper hand. Do you agree that the result does not fully reflect how the game unfolded? What is the mood in the dressing room now?

— I agree. It is disappointing that the match ended in a draw. We knew that our opponents were very experienced and of a very high standard. We understood that they could punish us for any mistake. But this is football, and we have what we have.

I do not yet know what the mood is like within the team because I usually enter the players’ dressing room a little later. Personally, I am angry about the result, but I understand that we now need to help the players recover as quickly as possible and prepare for the return leg.

— We saw two different halves: Alashkert had a significant advantage in the first half but created fewer dangerous chances in the second. What was the reason for that?

— That was how the match developed. I think the CFR Cluj players did not expect us to play that way in the first half and were unable to deal with our attacks. After the break, our opponents began to play more cautiously and paid greater attention to their defending.

We should not forget that we were not playing against an amateur team but against a very serious and strong opponent. At the same time, I believe we also had the advantage in the second half. Of course, conceding the goal affected the team, but after making our substitutions, we created many chances toward the end of the match.

— The team conceded very quickly at the beginning of the second half. Was that caused by a loss of concentration?

— Yes, the reason was precisely a loss of concentration at the start of the half. It was a completely avoidable goal. We made a mistake after a throw-in and allowed our opponents to equalise.

— It is usually a serious problem for a coach when the team does not create chances. Alashkert creates enough of them but struggles to convert them. How can this be improved?

— I think it is connected to psychology, youth and the lack of experience among some of the players. The pressure also affects them. We want to perform as well as possible, but sometimes that desire prevents them from playing freely.

We try to work on finishing in training. In goalscoring situations, the players must remain calm and have confidence in their abilities.

— Is there any information about Hakob Hakobyan’s condition?

— There is no precise information yet, but I do not think anything serious has happened.

— There were many Romanian supporters at the stadium, and at times they were louder than the home fans. Did that affect the players in any way?

— I believe the supporters’ backing is always important and has an impact on the team’s performance.

Alashkert and CFR Cluj drew 1-1. The Armenian side opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Rafael Jesus found the net following a pass from Karen Nalbandyan. Andres Sfait restored parity in the 47th minute. The return leg will take place in Cluj-Napoca on July 30.