Noah’s Head Coach on the Aberdeen Clash: A Challenge, a Battle, and a Chance for the Playoffs

Ahead of the UEFA Conference League Matchday 4 fixture against Aberdeen, Noah head coach Sandro Perković spoke to the media and shared his expectations for the upcoming match. The game will take place on November 27 in Scotland, and although the standings formally place Noah above their opponent, the Croatian coach does not consider his team the favourite.

Sandro Perković’s Press Conference

On Being Considered Favourites

— Looking at the table, it seems Noah are the favourites — Aberdeen have just 1 point, while Noah have 4. Is that the case?
— This is a short tournament with only six matches. A three-point difference is not that big. I believe that on Aberdeen’s home ground, no team in the Conference League can be considered favourites. Still, we will play to win and aim for all three points.

On Aberdeen’s Strengths and Weaknesses

— What can you say about Aberdeen’s strong and weak sides?
— They are a very strong team with quality players. The coach is building a great side, and that doesn’t surprise me — he previously worked at Elfsborg. They play in a 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 formation. It will be a difficult match for us and an important challenge. We are glad to represent Armenian football at this level. Usually, 7–8 points are enough to make the playoffs, so I expect both teams to fight for the win. It will be a very exciting match for the fans.

On Differences Between Scottish and Armenian Football

— Is there a big difference between Scottish and Armenian football?
— In terms of football quality, I don’t think the difference is huge. We are a good team, and Armenia has other strong teams as well, though unfortunately they are not playing in European competitions. There are many quality players in Armenia, so the level is high. But there is a significant difference in infrastructure, stadiums, and attendance. Unfortunately, Armenia does not yet have what Scotland has, but I hope that will change soon.

On Noah’s Progress and European Ambitions

— Noah is a young club. How do you assess its progress? Can you improve its recognition in Europe?
— I think Noah are doing tremendous work, something rarely seen in football. The team is playing in the Conference League for the second year in a row — that is a major achievement. I come from Croatia, a very strong football nation. Except for Dinamo Zagreb, it is extremely difficult for Croatian teams to reach the main stages of European competitions. That’s why I consider this a huge success for Noah. I’m sure that in 5–10 years Noah will become a noticeable force in Europe.

On Preparing After an Emotional League Match

— The last league match was very emotional. How did you prepare the team?
— Yes, it was emotional, but we are professionals, and from the very next day we were fully focused on Aberdeen. The journey wasn’t easy — six hours of travel and a four-hour time difference. We had to adapt to all that as well as the weather. During training, I saw great atmosphere and highly motivated players.

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