This season Zenit face Spartak more than they usually do, once in the Super Cup, then twice in the Russian Cup, also in an away match as part of the RPL, now it’s a league match again, but a home one. Is the amount of games against Spartak affecting the team’s motivation? Are you concerned that emotions might win over the players again like it happened in the Cup Match?
“Speaking of the amount of matches, the rules of the Russian Cup allow the teams to face each other quite often, as well as the Super Cup. Though these matches were played a long time ago, the majority of our clashes happened in 2022, and it’s going to be the first match against Spartak of this year. Emotions are part of football, but it’s important to be in control of them so we don’t repeat the incident from the previous Russian Cup match. It’s going to be an interesting game against a good opponent.”
Yesterday Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli won the title, you’ve worked with him before, have you already congratulated him on this victory? Would you like to win the league in the same week with him?
“We haven’t congratulated Luciano yet, but we will certainly call him, I’m really happy for him. He is hardworking, he loves what he does and has great qualities as a manager and as a person, so this title is absolutely deserved. We’re all happy for Luciano personally, for the team and their coaching staff.
Speaking of our match, it’s not going to be a champion match. There are some factors that could make it possible, but as of right now we have to earn four points to win the title, and knowing when it’s going to happen is not that important. We’re getting ready for every match, we have to do our best no matter who our opponent is. When are we going to win and is this even going to happen... We have to do our job, and it doesn’t matter when it happens. We would prefer for it to happen earlier, but either way I think we deserve it.”
Are Wendel and Rodrigão ready to play after missing the last few matches?
“As of today everyone is healthy and they’re getting ready for the next match.”
Zenit are close to winning another title, and for you it’s going to be the fifth title in a row. Are you still feeling the same as it was the first time or has winning become some sort of a routine?
“Winning must never become routine. I’m not used to it, and whenever we win, be that our previous match or other games, it always makes me feel quite content. Speaking of winning the title, without a doubt nothing can compare to becoming champions for the first time. Though every season is exciting and challenging in its own way, and every season holds some difficulties that you have to overcome and situations that you have to analyze. We’re doing our job, moving forward, and all of the titles come after that. Our main objective is to focus on the quality of our game and on the aims that we’ve set for ourselves. The fact that we’re able to win something for the club just makes us happier with our hard work.”
