Tulipa ahead of Ararat-Armenia's match in Craiova: "Now we want to reach the Europa League"

Ararat-Armenia head coach Manuel Tulipa and defender Hugo Oliveira answered journalists’ questions in Craiova on the eve of the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie against Universitatea Craiova.

The Armenian champions’ representatives spoke about preparations for the match, the Romanian club’s strengths, personnel losses and the ambitions of a team that has already guaranteed itself a place in the league phase of the Conference League but now intends to take the next step and reach the Europa League.

The first leg will take place at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium in Craiova and will kick off at 21:00 Yerevan time. The winner of the tie between the Armenian and Romanian champions will advance to the league phase of the Europa League, while the losing side will continue its season in the Conference League.

Pre-match press conference: Universitatea Craiova — Ararat-Armenia

Hugo Oliveira: “There are no favourites in matches like these”

— Do you consider Universitatea Craiova the favourites for the match?

— There are no favourites in matches like these. I think both teams have prepared well and are ready for the game. If anyone doubts that, we will try to show on the pitch that we deserve to play in the league phase of the Europa League.

— If you compare Universitatea Craiova with your opponents from last year, Universitatea Cluj, Craiova have a significantly more expensive squad and are probably a stronger team. If you get past an opponent like this, could it be called a miracle?

— We do not look at it that way. A team’s strength is not determined by the value of its squad, and we do not pay attention to figures like that. Yes, last season we beat Cluj, and we are ready for matches of this kind. This European campaign, we have already got past Shamrock Rovers and Riga, and we came very close to beating Celje, but unfortunately we could not do it. Ultimately, in matches like these we always fight for one thing only — victory.

— At Ararat-Armenia, you somewhat resemble Federico Valverde at Real Madrid: you constantly change positions, playing both in central midfield and at full-back. How difficult is it to switch positions during a match or immediately before a game?

— Thank you very much for comparing me to Valverde, but I still have a lot of work to do to reach his level. We also changed positions frequently during our pre-season matches. I am ready at any moment to move to another position if the coach asks me to. The most important thing for me is to help the team in any way I can. I am happy that, when necessary, I can play in different positions and contribute. I feel comfortable both in central midfield and at full-back.

— If you could choose your own position on the pitch, which one would you prefer?

— It would be better to ask the coach that question. I am happy to play wherever the coach sees me. I am happy to compete at such a high level and to help the team.

— You joined Ararat-Armenia last summer, and now it is already certain that the team will play in the league phase of one of the European competitions this season. There are many big matches ahead. How different is your motivation compared with last season?

— Of course, the motivation is very high. With every qualifying round, the level of the opponents increases, but that is exactly what makes it enjoyable. I think every footballer wants to play at the highest possible level. I have big ambitions. Next season, I would like to play in the Champions League as well.

We want to produce our best football in European competition, but at the same time we want to become national champions again so that we can play in Champions League qualifying once more. So the motivation is enormous.

— Ararat-Armenia prefer to play with the ball, but Craiova also want to control possession. If you play in midfield, you will be one of the players responsible for controlling the ball. How realistic is it to take the initiative against an opponent like this?

— The coaches have explained the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses to us in detail. We must control the ball, and we are ready to do so, regardless of the position I personally play in. One of our main objectives is to have as much possession as possible.

Manuel Tulipa: “Our initial goal was the Conference League; now we want more”

— Craiova also have a Portuguese coach. Does that mean we are in for an interesting Portuguese coaching duel?

— Yes, you are right, but the teams play completely different football. Filipe Coelho’s style is very different from mine. Craiova prefer a more direct, vertical style of football, while I prefer positional play.

— In your previous three European ties this season, you played the first leg at home, but now you are starting away. How much does that change your approach to the game, and does it provide any advantage ahead of the second leg?

— Yesterday we saw the opponents’ stadium. It is very big and beautiful. I am sure Craiova make good use of their home advantage with the support of a large number of fans.

But for us, it does not make any fundamental difference whether we play the first leg at home or away. It does not change our preparation. Our task is to control the game and the ball. How much the opponent allows us to do that is another matter. But we are not going to abandon our style.

— In the previous match against Celje, Julio Bueno and Artur Serobyan operated on the same flank, and there was a lot of space between them. As a result, Serobyan had to drop very deep defensively, which caused him to tire quickly. Did you see that as a problem?

— Yes, that is a good question. But there are other aspects that need to be taken into account as well. It helped us defend better, while also giving us the opportunity to exploit the spaces left by an opponent playing with three centre-backs.

I would also like to highlight Artur Serobyan’s excellent performance in that match. Of course, when a winger has to drop back into defence more often than usual, he expends more energy.

I would also add that we have already eliminated strong teams in this qualifying campaign, and those matches have made us stronger and more experienced, both collectively and individually. These are exactly the kinds of difficulties that allow us to develop. That is why we are here now.

— In 2019, Ararat-Armenia came very close to reaching the Europa League group stage. The Conference League did not exist at the time. Does that history give the current team additional motivation?

— Before the start of the season, I set certain objectives for the team. Our initial goal was to reach the Conference League, and we have already achieved that. But because we continue moving forward, our goal has changed: now we want to reach the Europa League.

We are grateful to the players for already securing the team’s place in the league phase of the Conference League, but now we want more.

Of course, it will be difficult. There are certain problems, and we will have to play in a 30,000-capacity stadium. The players could become overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the importance of the match. In addition, neither of our two captains, Kamo Hovhannisyan and Armen Ambartsumyan, will be able to help us.

That means we have to show our strongest qualities. I am trying in every possible way to motivate the team to succeed.

— During your playing career, you played in midfield. Did that influence your desire to build a team that has a lot of possession?

— Of course. When you become a coach after finishing your playing career, to a certain extent you transfer your own footballing preferences into your team’s style. When I was a player myself, I felt much more comfortable when my team had possession of the ball.

I am happy that I now have players to whom I can pass on my vision of the game. It is very important to have players like that. Otherwise, I would have to change my style. Fortunately, our players are ready to follow these principles.