In an interview with UEFA.com, Vardan Minasyan, the coach of the Armenian national team, noted progress of the Armenian football players.

“We have had three friendlies and have done everything I wanted during the warm-up period. In addition, we organize three-day training camps for all our Armenia-based players every month. I can see the team improving, although the media and fans have yet to be satisfied,” he said.

Armenia’s coach stated he needs men with a burning desire to play for their country, stressing that presently he has such players. Minasyan emphasized that he tries to combine youth and experience to build a good team that will fight until the end in every game.

“For some reason, our supporters and the media expect us to win whoever we play. They forget that Armenia are not a major football country, far from it. They have a right to demand a decent display and total commitment, but any team can have setbacks – just look at France. My aim is to create a competitive team for the EURO campaign. I want our rivals to know they will not have an easy time against Armenia,” the coach stated.

Speaking of Armenia’s Group B opponents, Minasyan said there are no weak sides. “Even against Andorra, we will have to sweat. But we will attempt to win every game. I need patriots in my team and I have them,” he concluded.