Eduard Spertsyan ahead of Portugal: “When I come to the Armenian national team – it’s a great honor”

At the press conference before the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier Armenia – Portugal, which will take place on September 6 in Yerevan, midfielder of the Armenian national team and FC Krasnodar Eduard Spertsyan shared his thoughts on the team’s preparation, working with the new head coach Yeghishe Melikyan, and the mindset ahead of this important match.

Eduard Spertsyan’s press conference

— What can you say about the summer transfer window? Russian media were constantly linking you with different clubs, yet you stayed at Krasnodar and are playing excellently there. Did this affect your motivation?
— I don’t want to talk about transfers, I want to focus only on tomorrow’s match against Portugal. As for motivation, I always have it, because I am a professional football player.

— It seemed that in your last club match you played cautiously, avoiding injury. Was that the case?
— Of course not. I always give 100 percent – both at the club and for the national team.

— How do you find working with the new head coach of Armenia, Yeghishe Melikyan, and what’s the atmosphere in the team before such an important game?
— The atmosphere is great. We knew him before as a national team player, now we know him as a coach. He is very ambitious, demanding, and a leader. The time was short, but within these five days he managed to deliver his vision to us and prepare us for the game. Big thanks for that.

— You have shown impressive statistics at the start of the season. Do you think you are now in the best form of your career?
— Probably yes. Physically and mentally I feel excellent. God willing, I will be able to show the same with the national team.

— Do you feel a difference between the club and the national team atmosphere?
— When I come to Armenia, it’s completely different emotions. For me, it’s a great honor and pride. At the club, I do everything to be called up to the national team.

— We have strong opponents in our group. What are your expectations and what can unite us to deal with them?
— I cannot reveal everything, but this is football. We need to show character and discipline to achieve results.

The Armenia – Portugal match will take place on September 6 in Yerevan as part of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Led by Yeghishe Melikyan, the Armenian national team counts on the support of the fans and will try to challenge one of the favorites of the group.

Kick-off: 20:00 local time at the Republican Stadium.

Yeghishe Melikyan: “Portugal has weak points, we will try to use them”