Celje confident of comeback against Ararat-Armenia: “We will show that we are the better team”

Celje head coach Vitor Campelos and midfielder Benjamin Verbič have shared their expectations ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Ararat-Armenia.

The first meeting between the teams in Yerevan ended in a 2-1 victory for the Armenian club. As a result, Celje will have to overturn a one-goal deficit on home soil.

Campelos said there is a special sense of responsibility within the Slovenian side ahead of the crucial match, although he described the pressure surrounding the team as positive.

“Everyone wants to be part of matches like this. I am convinced that we can make history for the club, the city of Celje and Slovenian football. We are very optimistic. We need to win, and that makes the team even more motivated,” the Celje coach said.

Campelos also stressed that his team is improving from game to game, including defensively. In their latest Slovenian league match, Celje defeated Olimpija while keeping a clean sheet.

At the same time, the coach made it clear that the final result matters more to him than the number of goals his team might concede.

“I would take any win by a two-goal margin, even 4-2 or 3-1. We have to produce a mature performance. Of course, an early goal would make things easier for us, but the match lasts 90 minutes. The players will give everything they have to reach the next round,” Campelos said.

Benjamin Verbič, meanwhile, believes the result of the first match in Yerevan did not reflect the balance of play on the pitch.

“The match in Armenia showed that even if you are better on the pitch and believe you are the stronger team, you can still lose. But I am confident that in the second leg we will also show through the result that we are the better team. Our goal is to advance,” Verbič said.

The experienced midfielder added that Celje will have to remain fully focused, as ties at this level can often be decided by individual moments.

“We have to play with a hot heart and a cool head. Every small mistake can cost you dearly in matches like these. The details decide everything. We will prepare as well as possible, and I am confident that after the match we will be celebrating qualification for the next round,” he added.

Celje's representatives are therefore making no secret of their confidence ahead of the return leg in Slovenia. However, it is Ararat-Armenia who will enter the decisive match with the advantage following their 2-1 victory in Yerevan.