Yerevan "Pyunik" head coach Eghishe Melikyan answered journalists' questions at a press conference ahead of the return match of the first round of the 2024/25 Champions League qualification against "Dinamo" (Minsk).

The match "Pyunik" (Yerevan) - "Dinamo" (Minsk) will take place in Yerevan at the Republican Stadium on Tuesday, July 16. The match starts at 20:00 Yerevan time.

Eghishe Melikyan's press conference:

— Mr. Melikyan, earlier there was an agreement that you would play at the "Urartu" stadium, but then it turned out that you would play at the Republican Stadium. How did you manage to agree on this?

— Initially, it was decided that the champion should play at the Republican Stadium. We became champions. Previously, we often received refusals from the FFA, we had disagreements, and we decided to look for other stadiums — Gyumri, Urartu, Georgia. But the government went towards us, we understood that they want to help us and do not want to interfere. Thanks to them for their help. They gave us guarantees that we would not be deprived of the stadium.

— You also had problems with the training field. How was this issue resolved?

— We asked the federation to give us the opportunity to train at the Avan Academy, but we were refused. However, we are ready for the match and will fight for victory.

— How do you assess the result of the first match and how did you manage to replace Hovhannes Arutyunyan and Artak Dashyan?

— Replacing Hovhannes Arutyunyan and Artak Dashyan is very difficult, we lost important players. We also lost Deble, Juricic, and Wagner Goncalves. We have many losses, but this is an internal problem. We are looking optimistically ahead. A zero draw in the first match is a good result. It was important not to lose away, and we fulfilled this task. Now we have a good opportunity to win at home. I am sure that we will have many fans in the stadium. Maybe we won't win, but we will definitely show that we have character.

— How do you assess the game of new players in the team?

— I would like to note that "Dinamo" (Minsk) continues their season in Belarus, and they have no problems with team cohesion. They are in good physical condition, while we are in the preparatory stage. For us, the big challenge is that newcomers are playing their first official matches for the team. I am pleased with the game of the newcomers in the first match, but they are not yet showing their maximum. We need another 3-4 matches. We will switch to turbo mode and work.

— What are the strengths of "Dinamo" (Minsk)?

— Their strength is their physical preparation. They have tall players, and they have an advantage in aerial duels. I would also mention their fighting spirit, they are a very good team. It will be difficult for us, but we will definitely create problems for them.

— "Pyunik" has a problem in the central forward position. How will you solve this problem?

— I know that you, as well as I, have big appetites, we always want to see good forwards in the team, it is normal. Recruitment is always difficult, especially for us in Armenia. There are few classic forwards now, and they all want to play in the best leagues. Bringing them to Armenia is not always possible.

— Why do few graduates of your academy, which is one of the best in Armenia, play in "Pyunik"? And why do you sign only foreign players around the age of 30?

— Yes, we have a very good academy. But our best graduates go to BKMA when it comes time for military service. I wanted to keep a few in the team, but it was impossible. They play in BKMA for 2 years, then return, and we have problems. I don't want to talk about it now. We have good players in the younger teams, we are waiting for them in the squad. As for foreign players, a 23 or 25-year-old player will always strive to play in Europe. At 30, they can think about a career in Armenia. I think we are doing everything right and developing.

— In the first match, there were problems in defense. Did the absence of Mikhail Kovalenko, who did not receive a visa, affect this?

— I don't think that the players who were in the starting lineup were much inferior. Problems in defense arose only because of the good game of "Dinamo", and not because of our defenders. We didn't concede a goal, so I don't think we had shortcomings in defense.

— What atmosphere do you expect in tomorrow's match?

— We are very proud of our fans. We do everything for them. We are waiting for everyone at the stadium!