Yeghishe Melikyan ahead of Montenegro match: “A win would settle many things, but avoiding defeat is important too”
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Armenia head coach Yeghishe Melikyan answered journalists’ questions ahead of the team’s UEFA Nations League second-round match against Montenegro. The game will take place in Yerevan on September 28. Both teams opened the tournament with wins: Armenia beat Latvia 2–0, while Montenegro defeated Cyprus 2–1.
Melikyan discussed preparations for the opposition, the condition of injured players and why Armenia are currently playing with five defenders.
Yeghishe Melikyan’s press conference ahead of Armenia vs Montenegro
— Before the Latvia match, you said you had found the key to victory. Do you have a key to beating Montenegro as well?
— We’ve studied the opposition and found the key (laughs). We know who we’re facing and we’ve prepared for them. Tomorrow we’ll see how well we can carry out our plan. I think we’re ready to play Montenegro. Of course, we had more time to prepare for Latvia. The break between matches is short this time.
— Given the group standings, could tomorrow’s match prove decisive in the race for first place?
— It’s a very important match if we want to finish first. And we really do want to win the group. Of course, we’re aiming to win, but it’s also important not to lose to Montenegro. A draw would be a good result too: it would give our injured players time to return and keep us in contention. A win, of course, would settle many things. We may focus more on avoiding conceding in this match.
— Is there any news on Julio Bueno and Narek Hovhannisyan?
— Bueno will definitely miss the remaining three matches in this international window. His injury turned out to be serious. Narek Hovhannisyan’s injury is less serious. He’ll be with us tomorrow, but we’ll rotate the team. I don’t think he’ll be fully ready to play.
— What would you like to carry over from the Latvia match, and what would you change against Montenegro?
— I can’t answer that before the match. I’ll talk about it afterwards.
— How is the team physically after playing Latvia?
— We’ll do our best to get the players ready and prepare them mentally for the match. We’ll also rotate the team. Our opponents played Cyprus and then had to travel. They also have to adjust to the climate in Yerevan. We’ll be ready to play.
The downside for us is that many of our players haven’t had enough playing time with their clubs at the start of the season. They’re still lacking match rhythm.
— What is harder for a coach: making the right decisions before a match or correcting mistakes during it?
— A coach has to be ready to react quickly to anything that happens during a match and have solutions for unexpected situations. That’s the hardest part.
— Three players made their Armenia debuts against Latvia. How would you assess their performances?
— I’m happy with all of them. They played well. It wasn’t easy for Bandikyan, Sevikyan and Garibyan because they lacked playing time. But they showed great determination and commitment and produced excellent performances.
— Armenia are currently playing with five defenders. Are you considering a back four?
— Before the tournament began, we planned to play with four defenders. Then the injuries started, some players didn’t join the squad, and we eventually decided to use the familiar system with five defenders.
We want to switch to a back four or have both systems available. With so many players missing, that’s difficult to do right now. Changing the formation requires players with different qualities, and our options are limited at the moment.
— Montenegro have more individual quality than Latvia. Have you worked on team discipline ahead of this match?
— Of course, we’ve discussed it. Montenegro have high-quality players with strong individual abilities. Discipline matters against every opponent, but it will be especially important in this match.
— What is Montenegro’s main strength, and how do they differ from Latvia?
— Latvia are a very disciplined and organised team. I knew they would play in a 5–4–1 formation, and that kind of defence is difficult to break down. We needed patience. Not everything worked, and Latvia defended well, but in the end we found a way through.
Montenegro are a different team. I wouldn’t say they defend as systematically, but they have quality and good combination play in attack. They’re more dangerous going forward. Our defenders have a difficult job ahead of them and will need to stay very alert. Montenegro have players who know how to score goals.
— What matters most to you as a coach: winning, developing players or seeing them carry out your instructions perfectly?
— For me, winning matters most with the national team. Things can be different at a club. For example, owners may want players developed so they can be sold later. With the national team, the main thing is to win.
— It was Ognjen Čančarević’s birthday on the day of the Latvia match. Did you celebrate after the win?
— We all helped him keep a clean sheet. That was the best present. But we didn’t celebrate his birthday. I didn’t allow it; now isn’t the time.