“The game went well for us. We should have scored more in the first half, then it would’ve been easier to finish the game. The amount of tackles increased in the second half. Obviously when the difference is only one goal the opponent has an opportunity to score from set-pieces, and that is what Fakel are good at. I think we played well with set-pieces too, except for one when they had a shot after a rebound, that was a tricky moment. Everything else depended on accuracy, though as I said, the game was stressful, and considering the one-goal lead it kept everyone on edge, right up until the final whistle.”
Why did you play two central forwards today? Was it a formation specifically to face Fakel?
“Both yes and no. Mateo Cassierra has started the season well and Ivan Sergeev is scoring too, so we have two forwards who are doing well for the team. Speaking of wingers, we only have Gustavo Mantuan and Zelimkhan Bakaev who can play in this position now since Malcom left and Mostovoy has an injury. We don’t have much choice, so today we decided on this formation considering that the opponent is good at set-pieces and in the tackle.”
70 minutes into the game Fakel started attacking more and pressing Zenit. Were you ready for this? Why was it so difficult to stop them?
“Our footballers are working on their fitness as the season progresses. We have a whole group of players who joined us a bit later, so it’s obvious that there would be substitutions based on the players’ condition. We have to improve some teamwork aspects and level out everyone’s fitness, considering that half of the team that played today missed our training camp. Some of the players are unable to play the whole 90 minutes, some of them are playing and they’re not 100% ready at the moment, so that’s what we’re dealing with right now. It’s not a problem though, all we have to do is make the most out of what we have.”
Zenit start the match with three central defenders for the third time in a row. What is the reason behind this change, and are Zenit going to play with this formation in the future?
“We’re focusing on the players who are ready to play now. Speaking of defenders, both Rodrigão and Chistyakov are injured so we're missing two central defenders and we’re looking into other options to make our defence more secure and make less mistakes. That’s why we chose this formation for now.”
Mário Fernandes was in the starting XI. What condition is he in now? Are you considering him as a replacement for Mostovoy who is injured at the moment?
“In my opinion you can’t compare them. Speaking of Mário’s condition, it is becoming better. He played well in the previous game and in this one too. Without a doubt he is improving from match to match, and we’re happy about it.”
Everyone is talking about the incident at the end of the match, I would like to ask for your take on it. Should it have been a penalty?
“I doubt anyone would perceive my opinion as neutral, but I’ve listened to the analysis of the incident, and it was decided that the referee was right to make the decision he made using VAR. These are not my words, but the people’s who are not interested in anyone else’s opinion.”
With the upcoming match against Spartak there has been speculation in the press of problems with Barrios. Do you think it’s a special move to attack Zenit psychologically, or is it a real rumour? Was the recent press info on Spartak's Zobin a Zenit counterattack, or is it also just a rumour?
“Discussing Zobnin is not my job, so I’m not going to comment on that. Although speaking of Barrios, it is just a rumour and there are no issues. You can ask Barrios yourself, and you will see his condition.”
It’s unusual for a player with a leading left foot to come on as a right central defender like Nuraly Alip today. Why was it the choice for today?
“Mário is not ready to play for the whole 90 minutes yet, so another defender had to come on. We don’t have right-footed central defenders, so we had a dilemma whether Eraković plays in this position or Alip comes on and plays in the center. Renan could play there as well. Considering how good Nuraly is at tackles and that Appaev from the opponent’s team got on the pitch as a substitute, we decided to let Nuraly play on that position, and he did a great job.”
Wendel appeared in the starting team today, but was substituted later. How content are you with his condition and his performance? When is he going to be able to play for the whole 90 minutes?
“Miracles don’t exist, he missed pre-season training. Although he does have some skills that come to him naturally and he is improving his fitness level faster than others. He is lacking in some aspects, but he is working on them, and I think he is going to achieve a better condition by participating in the matches, there is no other option.”
