Rodrigão, congratulations on your debut for Zenit! How do you feel?

“Thank you! The debut wasn’t the best because of the final score. I joined Zenit to win with the team, to help go for victories and become champions, it’s the duty of all of the players. Unfortunately, in Khimki we couldn’t do it, but anyway I’m happy that I walked out to the pitch in the Zenit shirt and that I’m getting used to the new club. Right now we have to focus on training and moving towards our aims, and to get back to the winning path.”

You were in the starting XI in your first match. How would you rate your mutual understanding with the other defenders and the goalkeeper?

“We did have some difficulties, and that's only natural, because we were playing in the official match together for the first time. We couldn’t always predict each other’s moves and were a bit out of sync. However, I think it will be useful and we need to review our mistakes so we could avoid them in the future. We have to keep growing both as a team and personally. I will put maximum effort to get to know the game style of my teammates better and to start helping the team to win.”

You were moving forward with confidence and helped with the attacks of the team. Is that usual for you?

“Yes, because quality passing is one of my strong sides and I also have the technique. I hope soon my teammates will recognize this quality of mine and acknowledge what I can do for them. Considering the poor result of the match, I understand that I have to work harder and help the team more. It’s sad that we didn't win, but I promise that I have the highest expectations of myself and I will show my best in the future.”

You only became a Zenit player last week. Do you feel like you got used to the team? How is the communication with your teammates going?

“I feel very grateful to all of the Zenit players, everyone has welcomed me very warmly, and I immediately felt at home here. Moving to a club like Zenit is a delight on its own, but being accepted here with such respect is twice as delightful. I think we have everything to make this season great and achieve all of the aims we’ve set. We already have one trophy, now we have to fight for more. For me the win in the Super Cup match was very important, it gave me the opportunity to feel and understand the champion spirit of the club from St. Petersburg.”

You had personal fans supporting you in the match with Khimki. Could you tell more about them?

“Yes, on the day of the match my mum came to Moscow from Brazil, she wanted to see my debut. It was a very special moment for me, because my mum doesn’t like traveling at all and she’s a bit afraid of flying on planes, but she overcame this fear for me and flew all the way to Russia. It was her first trip abroad and I’m incredibly happy that she was in the stands! My wife and my agent were with my mum, they are always with me and they always support me.

After the match we saw each other, hugged and my mum congratulated me on my debut for Zenit, because she knows how important this moment is for my career. Of course she was also sad that we couldn’t win, but as a mother she tried to support me and told me that this is only the beginning.”