Who introduced you to football? What were you like at school? (Ivan Subbotin)
I was at Chertanovo football school, my parents took me. It just so happened that my classmate's father was the coach of a mini-football team. He invited me to train with him and I went there. Football took away most of my time. My first few years at school I was rated an excellent student and then I started to play more and my studies faded into the background. I just used to sit at the back of the class and listen to the teacher.
A goalkeeper needs to lead by example, when did you start playing in goal? (Vitaly Akimov)
Since childhood, I've watched a lot of matches and watched a lot of goalkeepers, I liked how they played and I tried to learn something for myself. If I had to choose a favourite, it would probably be Oliver Kahn. But there are a lot of other goalkeepers I like.
Previously your career did not look very promising. Then suddenly you've had a breakthrough with Ufa and then moved to Zenit. What happened in the past year or have you just been lucky? (Alexey Nikolaev)
I would not say that I've had some sharp jump in my professional ability. I think that to some extent it has been a coincidence. They gave me a chance, I waited for a long time, before I was able to show what I can do. Maybe I became more serious about football as I've matured in recent years. But my game has not changed much.
What has been the most interesting place you've traveled to in your career? (Pavel)I've had some crazy travels, but I'd say to the city Liski, where there is not a single building over five floors. The hotel had one toilet and a small sink for the whole floor. Top conditions!
Have you quickly got used to life at Zenit? What about Dzyuba's joking? (Vlad Kern)
Yes, I have already mastered it! I don't really have any problems with adapting, all teams have football people and they quickly get used to things. Dzyuba and I do share some mutual jokes.
Tell us about your family. Have you settled in St. Petersburg? (Sergei Vasiliev)
I grew up in an ordinary family. I have a younger brother, but he's not involved with sport. This year he has graduated and is working. My Mum is an accountant. Previously, she has had to work in three or four places. As for St. Petersburg, I still live in a hotel, so other than the training base and the stadium I've seen very little. When it's slightly warmer we will explore some new places.
Your wife is a doctor, what does she do and how did you meet her? (Irina Smolin)
Honestly, I'm not too versed in medical terms, but if I'm not mistaken, she works in cardiac diagnostics. We met on holiday when I was with friends, she was there with her family. It turned out that when we arrived, she was about to leave. We spoke for a few minutes, then got to know each other online. Then I went from Torpedo to Ufa and we started to communicate closely, we visited each other and later we had our wedding!
What do you like doing in your spare time? Where did you spend your winter holiday? (Timur Ibragimov)
I spent the holidays in Dubai, there is a lot to do there and many interesting places. I spend my free time in many different ways, I like to watch a film at home with my wife, quietly sitting on the sofa.
If you weren't a footballer, what would you do? (Arslan Aygaz)
I can't even think of anything else. Only football.
You have repeatedly won the competition to be the main goalkeeper at many clubs, what is your secret? Are you motivated by competition? (Andrei Ershov)
Healthy competition is always a motivator and is healthy. Without it you cannot grow. In a team, everyone wants to play, to be the best, so in training you need to do your best. Accordingly, you have to be in good shape and progressing. In competition, I see only advantages - no negatives!
What is your favorite book? (Timur Ibragimov)
As a child, I liked the Harry Potter books, now I'm reading Alex Ferguson's book.
What do you think about the Barcelona - PSG match? (Valery Nogorodtsev)
Since childhood, I have supported Real Madrid, so this win didn't bring me much joy. But it was a surprise and we have to applaud Barcelona and ask PSG why they missed so many chances? For a simple fan of the game it was a good and interesting match.
Now the team is having a difficult time, how is the morale of the players? (Alexander Smirnov)
Things are fine. The main thing is to play our game and to achieve the results we need. We need to win all the remaining games.
What are your penalty saving stats? Do you study penalty takers for the other clubs? (Georgi Slavov)
I don't keep such statistics. When playing in the second division, They scored 10 or 11 penalties in a row, even if I got to the ball they often scored the rebound. My first penalty save was when I played for Ufa, I think that when the keeper saves a penalty, it is not a show of his ability, it can depend on luck. I can't say that I study penalty takers, because everyone can shoot a different way. Jens Lehman had a kind of cheat sheet at the 2006 World Cup, in top level tournaments penalty takers try and keep it simple and that why these notes could help.
You and Lodygin are competing for the Zenit goalkeeper spot and you both have had a similar career path and your moves to Zenit were both quite unexpected. Have you discussed this with him and how is your relationship with him? (Valera Sinilschikov)
We work together and Yuri is a nice guy, we have no problems with each other and we know that competition is healthy. We haven't discussed with him our careers.
What are the most important things for you in life? (Timur Ibragimov)
Football! My wife might be offended, but she knows this Ha ha!
