Roberto Mancini: "The guys fought hard and I'm grateful to them"

The Zenit manager on the defeat in the Leningrad Derby and Cup exit.
I congratulate Dynamo St. Petersburg on the win. 

Why didn't you make a sub after Mevlji's red card and instead move Kaplenko into defence? Do you think that was a mistake? 

I think that Kaplenko was the best player on the pitch today. 

Did you not take the Russian Cup very seriously judging by the starting XI. Does it matter that you lost? 

I take all matches seriously. I cannot play with one line-up on Thursday, on Sunday and then again on Thursday. All those who started gave their all. Mevlji's red card at the start of the game did not help us but the guys fought hard and I am grateful to them for that.

Did the atmosphere today reminded you of the Milan or Rome derby? Would Zenit have won if Dynamo were in the top division? 

I can't say that it was the same as the Milan derby. But it would be nice if Dynamo played in the Premier League, we would not have to travel far. 

Is going out of the Cup a tragedy for you? 

I'm sorry. We really wanted to reach the final. I want to say again that the guys played very well, I'm grateful to them and they are good guys. The match was overshadowed by numerous refereeing errors, but the guys did well and played and fought hard.