Nair Tiknizyan: “Montenegro are the favourites in our group, but playing us at home will be difficult”

Armenia defender Nair Tiknizyan answered journalists’ questions ahead of the team’s UEFA Nations League 2026/27 second-round match against Montenegro. The game will take place in Yerevan on September 28. Both teams opened the competition with victories: Armenia beat Latvia 2–0, while Montenegro defeated Cyprus 2–1.

Nair Tiknizyan’s press conference ahead of Armenia vs Montenegro

— You combined effectively with Narek Hovhannisyan against Latvia and often switched positions. What was it like playing alongside him on the flank? Do you think you fulfilled your role?

— Everything you see on the pitch is something we prepare in training. The coach gives us instructions, and we follow them. It’s better to ask him how well it worked in the match. But since we won, I think we fulfilled our task.

— You play alongside Balša Popović at Olympiacos. Have you discussed the upcoming match with him?

— When I’m with the national team, I don’t like answering questions about my club. I’m fully focused on the national team’s matches. Tomorrow Popović will be my opponent. He’s an excellent goalkeeper, but I can’t reveal any secrets about him. That’s the job of our coaches and analysts.

— The team started the competition with a win. How much have you managed to prepare for the next match in such a short time? Will the winning mood help?

— We’re trying to stay humble. Yes, we won the first match, but there are still five games ahead, and everything can change. I can’t say we’ve fully recovered. Some players haven’t reached their best form yet or haven’t had enough playing time. But we’re doing everything we can to play well. In the upcoming matches, commitment, character and the will to win will matter most. The schedule is very demanding. We haven’t experienced anything like this before, but we’ll do everything we can.

— What do you feel when Armenia’s national anthem plays before a match?

— Let me answer with a question: what do you feel?

— I get goosebumps. I think that feeling grows stronger when you see the support from the stands.

— I completely agree. I’d add that every player who puts on a shirt bearing the country’s crest carries a great responsibility to the supporters and the whole country. We all feel that and try to channel those emotions in the right direction.

— When will you make us happy by answering questions in Armenian?

— That’s a tricky question. I’m not very comfortable answering in Russian here either. I was born into a Russian-speaking family and didn’t have the opportunity to learn Armenian. I understand how important it is. Learning a language at my age isn’t easy, but I promise to say a few phrases in Armenian at the next press conference.

At this point, Armenia head coach Yeghishe Melikyan added:

— We all know players who speak Armenian, but they aren’t here now and don’t play for the national team. Let’s thank Nair for being with us and for having an Armenian heart. It’s only a matter of time before he speaks Armenian.

— Armenia have already played Latvia. Of the remaining opponents, Montenegro and Cyprus, whom do you consider the favourites in the group?

— I think Montenegro are the favourites in our group. They have players from leading leagues. We’ve studied all our opponents and know their strengths and weaknesses. But any team will find it difficult to play against us at home. Tomorrow’s match will show everything.

— New players from Russia have joined the national team. Are you helping them settle in?

— Of course. It’s not just me helping them; the whole team is. We’re a very close group, we have a common goal and plenty to talk about. That makes it easy for new players to settle in.

— Eduard Spertsyan also often moved to the left flank and combined with you against Latvia. How would you assess your play together?

— We’ll see whether we can repeat it tomorrow.

Armenia go into the match with significant absences in defence. Julio Bueno was injured against Latvia, while Sergey Muradyan, Styopa Mkrtchyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan and Edgar Grigoryan had already suffered injuries.

Yeghishe Melikyan ahead of Montenegro match: “A win would settle many things, but avoiding defeat is important too”