Are you satisfied with today's game? Did the quality of the pitch affect the match?
I'll be more happy when we open the roof to the stadium, but we played here today and I am sure when it will be crowded, the atmosphere will be different and the team also will play in a different way. We made a lot of mistakes, unfortunately. I associate them not only with the quality of the pitch, but also with nervousness, following the match with Spartak. This was due to external and internal pressures that the players had on them. I'm not very happy with the match. I would not like to win matches like we did today.
We had a good game and created some dangerous moments, we have a lot of chances. We played against an organized opponent who knows what to do out there on the field. I’m not surprised they have won five consecutive wins in their last five matches. I do not think that in Russia there are many teams that can do it. In the second half we started with the advantage, but because of an error from Yusupov, the opponents could have taken the chance and scored to put us in a difficult position. As the game went on it was evident that we are starting to get nervous and Ural felt that they could take away points from our new stadium. This nervousness was transmitted to the field and turned into the cards that we saw today. It's hard to explain how we could miss chances from 2 or 3 meters out. I’m pleased with the three points, but I’m not satisfied with the manner in which we beat them.
How do you assess today's refereeing? Were you worried before the game as the referee was from Moscow?
I have not seen replays of those moments. Of course, the foul for the free kick should have been punished with a yellow. What happened after that with the Ural players, I could not see. The decision from the ref must be accepted. Once again, to put a point on it, I'm sure that it was a second yellow for Bicfalvi. As for the two other reds, I do not know. I am very sorry that Criscito and Dzyuba got yellow cards and will not play in the next match. With our numerical advantage, I do not understand how our players can get themselves booked in such a situation. After the game with Spartak I do not think about the referee before a match. I did not even know who it would be.
What happened with Kokorin? And why does Mollo get such little time?
Mollo played quite convincingly today, but do you think if I I don’t know if he is a good footballer or not? In this area of the pitch we have so much competition, we have Shatov, Danny and others. Today Mollo came on and helped the team. I do not always make the right decisions, but in general I can appreciate his game positively. I think that this is a positive player to have on our side. He will add to his confidence and he will play better and better. He is a very strong football individually but everything depends on him, if he will accept the principles of our game, he will go out on the pitch. Most of all I like to work with the players who like to play in a team.
You said that after the match with Spartak, Zenit are under strong pressure from the media. But our media compared with English media is Mother Teresa. How you are going to continue to cope with the pressure?
There are players who probably will not even read the criticism that I’ve said. There are players who are support the club and read and experience more than they should. There are different mentalities of players and it affects the way they play. I've been in this profession for a long time and its complex and complicated. I know how to correctly interpret the criticism that my players get. Most interesting is that many journalists give tips and comments on the action and I read it and take a lot on board. It’s worse when the criticism from outside is not clear. Criticism should be mine, from within. I am more critical of myself, when I analyze the game.
How did you find the pitch and the new stadium? And are you on your way to Turkey?
I have the experience of the Donbass-Arena, one of the best stadiums in Eastern Europe. We were there with the president almost every day and the first pitch we had was not very good quality. Over time, the field will get firmer and the grass began to take hold. There is still very young grass out there that needs sunlight. I think over time the field will improve and help the quality of our game.
