Tulipa ahead of Celje clash: “We will do everything to reach the Champions League”

Ararat-Armenia head coach Manuel Tulipa has shared his expectations ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Slovenian side Celje.

The match will take place in Yerevan on August 4. In the previous rounds, the Armenian club overcame Riga and Shamrock Rovers. Celje entered the competition in the second qualifying round, where they defeated Albanian side Egnatia in a dramatic tie. Both matches ended in draws — 3–3 and 2–2 — with the winner decided in a penalty shootout.

Ahead of the game, Manuel Tulipa spoke about the team’s injury situation, assessed the opposition’s strengths and said that Ararat-Armenia continued to dream of reaching the league phase of the Champions League.

Manuel Tulipa’s press conference ahead of the match against Celje

— In the second leg against Shamrock Rovers, you were looking for a replacement at right-back for the injured Kamo Hovhannisyan. Hugo Oliveira initially played there, but you later moved him into midfield, while Julio Bueno played on the right side of defence. However, this leaves the team without a centre-back. How do you plan to solve this problem?

— We are constantly looking for solutions in the positions where we have injured players. The problems began after Balanta’s injury, and then Hambardzumyan also picked up an injury. As a result, we used Hugo Oliveira in midfield.

You are right: Julio Bueno is better in central defence, but he is also confident when playing out wide. Of course, he cannot get forward as often, but he performs his defensive duties very well.

We will see what decision we make for the upcoming match. Michel Ayvazyan, who came off the bench and played very well in the previous game, may start in midfield. We have several options.

— The team now has a genuine chance of reaching the Champions League league phase. Has this changed the players’ approach?

— We have already achieved one of our objectives because we have secured European football in the autumn. However, in the upcoming matches, we need to show everything we are capable of.

Our opponents are very strong and have many top-quality players in their squad. However, our respect for Celje does not mean that we are ready to give up on our dream. We will do everything possible to reach the league phase of the Champions League.

— The Armenian league season has already begun. How might this affect Ararat-Armenia’s European campaign — positively or negatively? The team will now have less time to prepare.

— It is a problem, but it is a good problem. There are good and bad difficulties, and this is one of the best ones.

We have a responsibility to represent our country, and performing well in the domestic league is also part of that responsibility. However, it is true that we will have little time to prepare for the matches.

It will be difficult for us in terms of injuries and reorganising the team because different players in different positions may pick up injuries.

— What can you say about your upcoming opponents? What kind of team are Celje, and how are they different from the champions of Ireland and Latvia, whom you have already defeated?

— An interesting tie awaits us, especially for me because Celje’s head coach is also Portuguese.

They are difficult opponents, but we will try to exploit their weaknesses. Naturally, Celje’s players will attempt to do the same.

In the upcoming tie, it is very important for us to remain humble and realistic after successfully progressing through two rounds. We need to avoid the mistakes we made in the second legs of the first and second qualifying rounds and produce a consistent and confident performance.

— Which opponent suits you better: Shamrock Rovers or Celje?

— Shamrock Rovers are a more direct and quicker team. The Irish side likes to use the flanks and attacked particularly often down our left side, creating a great deal of danger there.

As for Celje, they have several top-quality players who have represented their national teams. I believe Celje are a more technically accomplished side and operate at a higher level.

— Is there any new information about the injured players? When will they be able to return?

— Kamo Hovhannisyan and Armen Hambardzumyan are not yet ready to play, but they are doing everything possible to return as soon as they can. Juan Balanta is already in the final stage of his recovery.

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