Roberto Martinez: We have great respect for Armenian national team

By Lusine Shahbazyan

We have great respect for the Armenian national team, said the manager of the Portuguese national football team, Spanish specialist Roberto Martinez, at Friday’s prematch press conference in Yerevan.

Armenia will host Portugal on Saturday in the first round of the European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The match against the Armenian national team is a challenge for my team. We know that this team has players who are high personalities and are distinguished by high qualities.

We have great respect for the Armenian team. We know that the team has a new coach, which means that they will perform more enthusiastically on their own pitch tomorrow. For me and for my team, the Armenian national team are a good team.

We have not had a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo about the previous matches of the Armenian national team. It is clear to all of us that the Armenian national team will perform with new objectives, strength with a new coach. The Armenian fans will be very important in tomorrow's match; they are quite enthusiastic, active, and will show great support for their team at home.

We have some losses in the squad, but our team is ready for the match. For us, this is an opportunity to win another spot to the main phase of the World Cup.

In the international arena, we try to analyze every opponent that has a new coach. We have great respect for the Armenian national team. It is important to consider the fact that [Armenia national team head coach] Yeghishe Melikyan has been leading Pyunik for five years and has achieved great success. This enables to realize that he knows how to prepare his team and make them ready for the match.

In tomorrow's match, we have no advantage over each other, as we are on equal terms. We will try to be Portugal on the Yerevan pitch and show strong character, highlight the individual qualities of the players. I always put the emphasis on the quality of my players' good performance," said Martinez.

Portugal will hold a prematch training session Friday at the Football Federation of Armenia Football Academy stadium in Yerevan.

The Armenia vs. Portugal match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers will be played in Yerevan on Saturday and will kick off at 8pm.

Photo by Emma Asatryan