The summer break was quite short. How has pre-season been and how ready are you for the start of the season?
Indeed, the break was short, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be giving our all. We’ve been giving the maximum at every training session so we are prepared for the season in the best way possible.
I feel great. I am sure that I am as ready as I can be for the next match, as is the whole team. This is a very important match, for a trophy and I really want to start the season with a win. People are always ready for games at this level and are fully motivated. The first trophy of the season is at stake, and I really want to win it.
You’ll be without Rodrigao for the match as he’s injured, how are you planning to play without him?
We all know how good Rodrigao is and how important he is for our defensive. We do have a number of other quality defenders, Nuraly, Chistyakov, Robert and Arsen Adamov, who can all play in the centre of defence. We have enough quality players to cover for Rodrigao, win the Super Cup and start the season well.
In an interview with the Brazilian press, Malcom said that the idea of him getting a Russian passport came from Zenit’s chairman of the board, Alexander Medvedev. Has this been suggested to you too? And if so, why did you say no it?
Claudinho and Malcolm have both had Russian passports now for a few months. We are all pleased for them as this allows the club to use more foreign players.
I have been in Russia for four years now and I feel at home here. Even without a passport, I feel like a Russian and St. Petersburg is my home, and Zenit is my home. I really like it here, and this is the most important thing.
