1. The war in Artsakh effects everything, even sport.

The Football Federation of Armenia were forced to move the, what would have been, home match against Georgia to Tychy, Poland, a neutral venue, just days before the match was scheduled to take place. This change resulted in Armenia effectively playing a match away from home, and the lack of a crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions did not help the situation either. Armenia is a side with noticeably better performances at home, and with the Nation’s League spanning 6 matches, it seems that Armenia will be the only team in the group to play 1 match at home, the 2-0 win over Estonia last month. Fairness aside, we have to take into consideration the fact that these players are trying to play a football match, representing Armenia to the world, all the while soldiers are firing missiles in an attempt to prevent even more damage from being done to Stepanakert. Every player on that pitch has the thought of the possibility of Yerevan being struck by a missile, of the homeland being invaded by Turkey or the killing of innocent civilians by Azeri troops. They wanted to make us happy, to give Armenians something to cheer about, but the immense pressure they felt led to a lack of concentration, which ultimately cost the side 3 points.

2. Joaquin Caparros had his tactics wrong, and he knows it.

The Armenian National Team manager made some questionable decisions during the match, and this left Armenia struggling throughout the 90 minutes. Armenia ended the first half with about 40% possession and still somehow 1-0 up. Registering very few shots on target, a brilliant counterattack where Arman Hovhannisyan released Barseghyan who outpaced the Georgian defender and drove the ball low to Bayramyan, who controls the ball and calmy finishes to bring Armenia up 1-0 in the opening 5 minutes. It went downhill from there, and this is why. The Georgian side easily identified the right back spot as our weak point, and they were very correct.

With Hovhannes Hambardzumyan out of the squad due to injury, speed demon Kamo Hovhannisyan deputized at right back and he looked completely lost. This pulled Grigoryan more to the right to help cover the open spaces because of Hovhannisyan’s poor positioning, and left Bayrmayan to also drop back and cover when Kamo decided to sprint up field and jog back. However, this not only effected the right side of the field, but also left a gap in the midfield where Grigoryan would drift to the right, and the Georgian side abused this. Georgian central defenders were able to make a single ground pass that would bypass the entire Armenian front line and midfield, straight into the Georgian front line. You can see how this is an issue. Caparros failed to make the adjustments and was extremely fortunate that Georgia was unable to capitalize on a single opportunity in that first half. 

3. Having an experienced goalkeeper saved us.

Armenia acquired the services of David Yurchenko very late in his career, but despite this he is bringing something Armenia has been seriously lacking since Roman Berezovsky retired, experience. Yurchenko is 34 years old and has been a starting goalkeeper in his club career for over 10 years, most of which was in the Russian topflight. There is no doubt that Yurchenko single handedly kept Armenia in the game in the first half with two outstanding saves to deny Georgia after very poor positioning from the Armenian defense and midfield. Unfortunately, Yurchenko can only do so much and his defense constantly let him down and he conceded 30 seconds into the first half, and again later. When it comes down to shot stopping, Yurchenko has been great, but his defense keeps putting him in positions that he should not be. If it weren’t for his quick decision making, Armenia would have conceded a lot more goals.

4. Some experiments backfired but some worked.

For some reason, Caparros decided to give FC Noah midfielder Yuri Gareginyan his debut in the second half of an intense match where Armenia were clearly on the back foot. In a like for like switch, Gareginyan came on and took the place of Wbeymar Angulo, who was a bit lost himself in this match, in the midst of trying to figure out how to create a goalscoring opportunity. Gareginyan was not up for the occasion, and he was unable to control an ariel ball which put Georgia straight in on goal. Another individual error completely undoing Armenia’s hard work.

On the other hand, Khoren Bayramyan dropped down to right back when Hovhannisyan was subbed off and Babayan shifted from 9 to the right wing. This brought much needed stability to the back line and allowed Armenia to transition from defense to attack for the simple reason that Bayramyan is calm, composed, and confident on the ball. He is clearly a far more skilled player than Kamo Hovhannisyan, and although we would love to have him as part of the attack, he should be starting at right back where he has the license to move forward. This would also open up space to have another pacey winger that Mkhitaryan can play off of and create chances. Bayramyan NEEDS to start at right back versus Estonia. Period. 

5. Armenia are still very much in the race for the top spot.

In a shock result, Estonia managed to rain on North Macedonia’s parade, holding them to a 3-3 draw, resulting in Macedonia dropping 2 crucial points. Although we see this Georgia result as 2 points lost, and a chance to take the top spot gone, Armenia are very much in the race and it will go down to the wire. Maceodnia and Georgia both sit on 5 points after 3 matches, with Armenia right behind on 4 points, and Estonia bottom with just 1. On goal difference, the top three teams are all tied at +1, however, Macedonia takes the top spot due to goals scored, as they have 6 and Georgia have 4.

Armenia are away to Estonia on Wednesday, where 3 points can see them take the top spot of the table if Georgia and North Macedonia draw again. The three teams are very even, and this is a real possibility. Caparros and Armenia need to do everything they can to prepare for Estonia, field the right lineup, and get three points. If Armenia is to fail to win at Estonia, the top spot may be completely lost, but 3 wins from the next three matches is needed, and Armenia’s destiny is in their own hands. 

Preview for Armenia vs Estonia tomorrow.