Ararat-Armenia head coach Manuel Tulipa face journalists inside Yerevan before him side UEFA Europa League league-phase Matchday 1 game against Sparta Prague. The Portuguese coach answer questions on how him team prepare, wetin Sparta carry come table, Artur Serobyan transfer, fans support and the hunger to answer last season defeat to Sparta.
Dem ask Tulipa how Ararat-Armenia go overcome Sparta resources and get positive result. He talk say one year ago dem play Sparta and no win. After that, good period start for dem: dem win league title and qualify for Europa League. Him see the journey wey carry dem reach here as their advantage. Dem do plenty work and beat champions from different countries. Him give credit to players, supporters, club fans and the whole country. But he talk say since dem reach this level, dem must live up to am. Dem also get to consider last year matches against Sparta, especially game inside Prague. He remember say dem lose concentration for just ten minutes and lose. For this level, you no fit lose concentration or control of game.
On Artur Serobyan, wey go leave team in winter, Tulipa talk say he no dey make transfer decisions. Club dey make those decisions. Opportunity come to sell the player, and transfer complete. Artur Serobyan play very well last season and dem name am best player for Armenian championship. Tulipa talk say he understand the question, but he no get doubt say until him last day with team, Artur go give him maximum and remain fully committed to club.
Dem ask about teams positions for domestic leagues, say Ararat-Armenia dey more favourable situation. Tulipa talk say he watch Sparta matches. Yes, dem no dey go through best period now, but e understandable. Plenty changes happun for squad, and newcomers still dey adapt. He talk say he understand their head coach Brian Priske; him also need time. Coaches no be magicians. Dem take all dis into account, study their game and ready for match.
About fans, Tulipa talk say the match important not only for Ararat-Armenia but for Armenian football as whole. He urge everybody to come stadium and support. Together, dem go stronger. Tomorrow, dem certainly go face difficult moments during game, and for those times dem go need fans support.
Dem ask which opposition players he go single out. Tulipa talk say he no want single out individual players, but he fit talk say Sparta attacking line very strong. All four players wey dey operate for attack dey high level. Dem all help build attacks, while centre-forward often drop deeper and take part for build-up. Dem must dey very attentive to their attacking players.
On whether draw for first match go be positive result, Tulipa talk say of course dem understand strength of opponent. But their task na to find their weaknesses and win. He no fit talk say he prepare team to get draw. Their main objective na to win.
Dem ask if experience of two matches against Sparta last season go help team. Tulipa talk say memories of those games still very fresh. But plenty don change since then. Sparta now na completely different team for style of play. He talk say dem don become better despite their less-than-successful recent results. Dem must ready. Sparta don stronger individually and improve physically. E go be difficult match for dem.
On revenge motivation as coach, since Sparta head coach no change unlike squad, Tulipa talk say dem no get any problem with motivation. Of course, after last year defeat, he really want win and take revenge. He still want highlight players contribution and journey dem pass. Dem beat champions from different countries, including Romanian champions, and now dem dey here. None of dis happun by chance, so their motivation dey extremely high. Dem want win. But he also want all of dem enjoy game apart from sporting result. This season for Europa League, first and foremost, dem want learn and test themselves for completely different level. Most important thing na make matches like dis and participation for this level become normal for dem, instead of remain just historic milestone. Dis suppose become regular occurrence for Ararat-Armenia.
