“It was a usual Cup match, I liked how our team’s performed in the first half. We were active in attack and had control of the ball. In the second half there were times when we let the opponent take control, so they had opportunities to create chances near our goal. Without a doubt we became more calm after scoring the second goal and were able to finish the match with a win. Congratulations to the team, they played a good and difficult Cup match. We would also like to thank the fans who came to support us today. We’re very grateful to everyone.”
Mário Fernandes debuted today, and when he came on you switched the formation to three central defenders by moving Karavaev to the center. Is this formation going to be used by Zenit now or is it just an option for the second half only? Why did Mário Fernandes and Karavaev play specifically like this and not the other way around?
“First of all, for Mário it’s his usual position. Secondly, he’s just starting to improve his fitness levels. This position lets you take a breather or stay in attack longer. Speaking of Vyacheslav, he looked well from a physical standpoint and he was often facing Berisha one on one. We needed a fast player who would be able to provide good quality cover in defence. We decided to keep Karavaev in this position and let Mário play the one he’s used to because we knew he still needs more match practice. We’re going to be working on his fitness levels and slowly improving it.”
How are you planning to replace Malcom? Is the club searching for another player to sign, or is it possible for someone from the team to take his place?
“We’ll see. Speaking of the scouting process, it never stops. There are players who could possibly strengthen one position or another. The scouting work is always going on, and obviously while the transfer window is open it’s more active. If we find a player who could potentially add to a certain position, we will sign him. Now we’re focusing on the squad that we have available, and we’ll see what we’re going to do in the future.”
How would you explain the two halves being different? The opponent’s manager said that in the second half Zenit let Akhmat have more space, so they got closer to your goal.
“I wouldn’t say we were letting them have more space, but when we gave it to them, we started playing deeper in defence. I think it happened because we were getting a bit tired. It’s difficult to play two days after the previous match. Although it is the start of the season, so we realise that we have to improve our condition through matches as well. The first half was great in terms of intensity, control and performance in attack. Though unfortunately in the second half we weren’t as successful, we had to play in defence more and weren’t attacking as much as we would’ve liked. Playing in defence you have to protect your goal and stop the opponent from creating chances.”
Dmitriy Vasiliev played well in the PARI Premier Cup and became the man of the match twice. At the start of the season he’s not receiving as much playing time. What is the reason behind that? Is the club planning to extend his contract as the current one expires at the end of the season?
“Regarding the extension of the contract, it’s a question for the club’s management. As for the game, he played well in the first match and not so well in the second one. Dmitriy himself said that it was unfair and undeserved. It’s nice that he’s able to criticize himself, as he actually did play worse than in the first match. Young players are often inconsistent, that’s why there are matches with certain requirements that Dmitriy has to get used to. He is not always doing what we need him to, so he has to work on becoming more consistent. He knows the aspects he has to improve and everything depends solely on him. If he is going to be training and playing well, he will be receiving more playing time.”
Wendel returned to St. Petersburg and was present at the stadium today. When should we expect to see him in the starting XI and have you spoken with him yet?
“I haven’t talked to him yet, just greeted him. I saw him before the match and after he came to the dressing room to congratulate the guys. The situation regarding Wendel is still the same, he returned with his agent. Either way he still has to improve his fitness level, and afterwards he is going to be dealing with the process of searching for a new team. There are always two factors that have to meet, the player’s and the club’s interests. He expressed his wish, so now his agent is working on finding him a team. For now the situation looks like this.”
Aleksey Sutormin didn’t come on the pitch today, and even though it was a Cup match, many of the team’s top player weren’t playing also. Why won’t you let him join another club if some want to sign him?
“We’ve already said it before, we’re not holding anyone here. Without a doubt if a player wants to leave an there is an offer that the club is interested in, we would let the player go. Speaking of Aleksey today, it was a Cup match and we won 2-0, so there were younger players on the pitch. If it was a more important match, then we would’ve given Sutormin some playing time in a position he plays. He could’ve easily replced Mostovoy, but considering it was a Cup match on our home ground and today’s score, we let the younger footballers get more playing time as it is important for them right now. Aleksey is capable of coming on in the starting XI in any match. The most important part is that he has to be ready to play, and after that the coaching staff will make the decision on when he will play and for how long.”
Denis Adamov was announced as a new player today and he was present at the match. What would his future in the team be like considering how well Kerzhakov and Vasyutin played in the first matches of the season?
“The season is long, so you can’t be relying on just two goalkeepers. We found a good deal and signed a goalkeeper. It was a nice option out of all the goalkeeping player options we had. We have three goalkeepers now, and he has the same opportunities as Mikhail and Aleksandr. I’m glad that Aleksandr played well today and that Mikhail did great in the previous matches. He has to wait for his chance and compete. The one who is stronger and more capable will be playing.”
Zenit signed Strahinja Eraković, but according to the news he had to spend a year at Crvena Zvezda on loan. Were you actually looking into this option, and has this transfer happened because Rodrigão’s recovery is taking longer than expected?
“We’ve been watching him for two years, and even wanted to sign him last year, but the price was too high. I think this year the price was fair for this player, and I have no doubts that he is going to help us. We know what the player is capable of. He can play as central defender, in three defenders and even as a right-back. It’s a great option for us when we can use a player on different positions. He is a fast player who is good in the tackle and plays well in one on ones. It’s an important aspect for us as we’re often in control of the ball and play in attack, so we need defenders who are able to play one on one and he is one of those defenders.
Speaking of Rodrigão, we’ll see. I’ll reiterate, we can always change the formation based on the players’ condition, and we can play three defenders if that is the best option. We can change the formation and use the players who are more capable at that moment. Rodrigão is still unavilable and obviously it was a good transfer for us. I haven’t heard anything about the loan to Crvena Zvezda and it’s the first time I’ve heard this, because we need this player for this position.”
