Yeghishe Melikyan needs to engineer a comeback for his Armenian side after a shocking first-leg defeat in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. The coach's Pyunik team must overturn a 1-0 deficit against San Marino's Tre Fiori when they meet at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
"The team is determined to redeem themselves after the disappointing away performance," Melikyan stated at the pre-match press conference.
Despite dominating the first leg with 69% possession and firing 22 shots compared to Tre Fiori's mere 4, the Armenian side somehow failed to find the net. Meanwhile, the San Marino underdogs capitalized on their limited opportunities when 23-year-old Matteo Manfroni, a former Juventus youth product, scored the only goal in the 63rd minute.
Bookmakers clearly expect Pyunik to turn things around at home, offering odds of just 1.08 for a home win. The odds for Pyunik to advance to the next qualification round stand at 1.10, reflecting strong confidence in the Armenian side despite their first-leg stumble.
Interestingly, Danilo Girolamoni's "yellow-blues" executed a textbook defensive gameplan in the first meeting, allowing Pyunik nine corners while taking just one themselves. But the statistics highlight Pyunik's wastefulness – from those 22 shots, only six hit the target.
It's worth noting that Melikyan, who has been at the helm for over four years, has few excuses for the surprising defeat. Though Pyunik has experienced significant squad turnover this summer with several key players departing, they've also made numerous acquisitions to strengthen the team.
Both sides are still shaking off rust from the off-season, with their domestic leagues having concluded in late May. Can Pyunik convert their statistical dominance into goals this time around, or will Tre Fiori complete one of the biggest upsets in recent Conference League qualifying history?
