Do you have any thoughts on Zenit's and Rubin's opening games of the season? 

Zenit have immediately shown their ambition and "banged their fist on the table" as we say in Spain. For a team that has undergone changes and is being reconstructed, it was a successful start. The match against Khabarovsk showed that Zenit have more to come and the team have plenty of power and potential. Rubin Kazan did not start so well, but Kurban Berdyev is a coach who gets results. The defeat was not good, but it is important to understand that they will fix this and become stronger. Under the leadership of Berdyev they will learn and grow after these matches. 

Only Paredes and Yerokhin started from the new players. Does this mean that Zenit will change gradually? 

There weren't many changes so far, the coach needs to asses the team's capabilities and it is not for me to assess, but probably Mancini has decided that at this stage it is better to trust the players who have already played in this league for many years. Proven players like Shatov, Kokorin and Dzyuba all know each other well. Zenit have fixture's in three tournaments and so most players will play. The team confidently won 2-0, but this does not mean all the players are guaranteed to be in the next match. 

Do you have any thoughts on Paredes? 

His long passes and general leadership skills are clear. In the centre of the pitch, Zenit have fierce competition, it should also help all the players and the entire team has become stronger. 

Have Dzyuba and Kokorin understood what Roberto Mancini wants from them? 

I think with the World Cup coming up in Russia, this must be their primary motivation. Now the coach trusts them and they should not lose this chance. In Dzyuba and Kokorin Zenit have two talented scorers, other teams facing them will have to pay them special attention. 

Zenit have almost two teams to choose from. Is this a problem or an advantage for the head coach? 

As I said, Zenit probably have enough game time for everyone. Rubin are not playing in European competition, so they should use this as an advantage. The competition for a place in the starting team should be stronger and Berdyev knows how to deal with this. 

Berdyev, has traditionally used three central defenders while at Rubin previously and with Rostov and now all five defenders are Russians are you surprised by this? 

It is good for Russian football. You've seen a lot of Rostov players recently in the Russian national team. I would not be surprised if Rubin players will also be in the Russian national team soon. 

Will Kazan be on the defensive in St. Petersburg?

I see a lot of good players at Rubin who can win a match, they are dangerous from long-range shots too. However, I am sure that Rubin will be prepared. 

The Kazan Arena recently hosted the Confederations Cup and attracted a good attendance at the Rubin v Krasnodar match. Stadium St. Petersburg also hosted the tournament final. Can we expect a good atmosphere here? 

I can say that when I played in St. Petersburg it was always a very good atmosphere and Zenit was a favorite place to play and to test myself. This is particularly important for players who are not playing in European competition. Zenit are a Champions League quality team. I also enjoyed playing in St. Petersburg, sometimes I even came here myself, to have a walk or go shopping. From my own experience I can say that the Kazan Arena inspires great football. I haven't played in the new stadium in St. Petersburg, but I'm sure after the Confederations Cup final there will be a great football atmosphere.