How’s the team as you go into the first match of the new league season?
I think we’re fine, the training camps were training camps and they can always cause a bit of tiredness, and after the first matches we need to see what level the team is at, and get them as close to optimal as possible.
Are all the players ready to go to Nizhny Novgorod? Are there any injuries?
Everyone is ready and everyone is in full training. We have two more training sessions to go and if nothing happens, then the entire squad will go to the match.
A question about the penalty shootout in the Super Cup, How do you personally feel about Robert Renan’s risky penalty? (Renan scored the winning penalty with a Panenka - ed.)
To take one like that, you need to feel confident. The Super Cup match is in the past and now we’re only thinking about the new league season.
Mario Fernandes joined the team this week. How would you rate his physical condition and how soon can he play?
Mario is a professional, but he’s had time without match practice, and this can be difficult. But his professionalism and the desire will help him get on the pitch in our upcoming matches. He has everything required to do this.
What can you tell us about Pari NN?
They are a good opponent, a team with many experienced players who play their team's game. They have some good young players too who have already proved themselves while playing for Pari NN. We are expecting a touch, difficult away match against a good team. Last year was not easy for us and I expect this year will also be very difficult. The fixture list is not easy for us and we start the season with two away trips, but we have to prepare for them and look to win every match and play well.
You’ve said before that winning is never boring and you can’t get bored of wining trophies. Last season the team were seriously motivated with the aim of the tenth title and five in a row. How do you motivate your players to fight like this again?
It’s the same as last year, and the same as the year before that. We need to play well and show what we are capable of. The main motivation for us is to win every match, and then we'll see how the league will take shape.
There’s been a lot of news in recent days about Malcom possibly leaving, how do you feel about this news and have you discussed this situation with the player?
We are absolutely fine with this news, and the fact that many clubs are interested in our players is a good thing. It is up to the players to decide on their future careers and we have to take into account several factors, including the interests of the club and the interests of the player himself. The guys have done a lot for the team, and they have their right to choose what they should do, while respecting the interests of the club.
