Latvian champions Riga FC remain convinced they can overturn a two-goal deficit against Ararat-Armenia and keep their UEFA Champions League campaign alive, with captain Antonijs Černomordijs set to return for Wednesday’s decisive second leg.
Riga suffered a 0-2 defeat in Armenia last week in their first Champions League qualifier for five years, but the experienced centre-back, who missed the opening leg through injury, insisted the tie is far from over as he joined head coach Adrian Guľa at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.
“We know exactly what we want from this match and we’ll do everything possible to continue our journey in the Champions League,” Černomordijs said.
“Mentally, physically and tactically we’re fully prepared. We’ve analysed the first game, we know what we need to improve and which mistakes we have to correct. We’re 100 per cent ready and we 100 per cent believe everything is still in our own hands.”
The 29-year-old admitted Riga paid the price for failing to take their chances in Yerevan before conceding from two costly mistakes. “First of all, we didn’t convert our chances. We could have been 1-0 up already in the first half and then the whole match would have looked completely different. Instead, we made two mistakes and they scored twice from our own errors.
“The first goal came from a set piece, where we’re usually very strong, but this time we didn’t finish the job. We’ve analysed it and understand that in a competition like this you simply cannot afford those mistakes. The second error was one that happens maybe once every ten years. “But that’s all in the past now. Tomorrow is a new page.”
Despite the first-leg defeat, Černomordijs pointed to last season’s European campaign as proof that the team can recover from difficult situations.
“We had a similar situation last year after losing 0-2 away to Sparta Prague. I can’t compare Sparta and Ararat-Armenia because all respect to Ararat, but we were also very close to making it 2-0 at home against Sparta.
“We all believe and we’ll give absolutely everything. A 2-0 deficit isn’t something impossible. It’s not 4-0 or 5-0. Even if it were 5-0, we’d still believe.”
He also recalled previous European comebacks against Kecskemet and Beitar Jerusalem. “Even if we concede tomorrow, we’ve already experienced situations like that. Against Kecskemet we needed to win, conceded early, but still turned the tie around. Against Beitar we won 3-0 at home after going 2-0 down early in the away match.
“That’s football. Everything will be decided on the pitch. The match lasts 90 minutes, so there will be no panic even if it’s still 0-0 at half-time.”
Černomordijs also confirmed he has fully recovered from the muscle injury that ruled him out of the first leg. “I feel physically very good. I’m completely ready and 100 per cent recovered.
“It was difficult watching the first match on television. Together with the coaching staff we decided it was better not to travel to Armenia so I could recover quicker.”
He explained the injury occurred during Riga’s Virslīga match against Jelgava. “Around the 65th minute I played a pass and felt some discomfort. I tried to accelerate once more and realised something wasn’t right. It didn’t feel serious at first, but I decided it would be better to ask for a substitution.
“The next day the scans showed it was only a small strain. It was good that I came off when I did because otherwise the recovery could have taken much longer. Now I’m fully fit again.”
Head coach Adrian Guľa echoed his captain’s optimism and joked that Černomordijs had already said everything he wanted to. “I understood everything Černomordijs said,” Guľa smiled. “Just put my voice over his words and we can finish the press conference.
“He explained perfectly that we’re ready, that we still believe we can go through, and reminded everyone about Sparta and Beitar. Everyone understands the first-leg result wasn’t good, but our performance certainly wasn’t bad.”
Guľa believes playing at Skonto Stadium can once again make a significant difference. “We know how we have to play at our Skonto Stadium. I’d like to invite our supporters because they always back us fantastically and they believe we can win at home.
“Our mentality hasn’t changed at all. We’re a team with a winning mentality and we know our DNA. With our fans and our environment behind us, I believe we’re a very strong team.
“All respect to Ararat-Armenia because they hold the two-goal advantage, but we’re ready to give absolutely everything to win and qualify.”
The Slovak also highlighted the importance of squad depth, pointing to last season’s European run when substitutes repeatedly made decisive contributions. “Last year our biggest strength was our team spirit. Against Dila Gori we qualified thanks to Antonijs Černomordijs scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time, and that decisive goal came from a player who started on the bench.
“Against Beitar, Anthony Contreras also came off the bench to score an important goal in the 86th minute. That’s exactly how it should be.”
Guľa emphasized that unity will be just as important as tactics. “We have to be ready emotionally and physically, which has always been one of our biggest strengths, while remaining united as a team. Tactical mistakes can happen – that’s football.
“That’s what happened in Armenia. How can anyone predict something like what happened to Frenks? Nobody can. It had never happened before and hopefully it won’t happen again for another 25 years.”
The coach defended his goalkeeper and expressed complete confidence in whoever starts between the posts.
“Maybe football has now given Krišjānis Zviedris his opportunity. He has to take it just like Frenks did before him. I trust him completely. I have no doubts about him.
“We believe in all three of our goalkeepers. Nobody is looking at whoever plays tomorrow and wondering who this goalkeeper is.
“Football has many different faces. I hope this time it shows us the face we saw last year – the one with which we played, behaved and ultimately became champions. That wasn’t luck. There were reasons behind it. “We simply have to give everything tomorrow. We all believe.”
Guľa also revealed that Brazilian winger Juan Christian remains a major doubt after picking up a muscle injury in the Latvian Cup, despite being an unused substitute in Armenia.
There was more encouraging news regarding Černomordijs and Maksims Toņiševs, both of whom completed a full training session on Monday. However, the coach admitted there is still uncertainty over whether the Latvia international is capable of playing the full 90 minutes.
“It’s a risk,” Guľa admitted. “First we have to see how today’s training session goes.”
