You’ve had three wins in your last three matches. How did you turn things around after a poor start to the season?
We always look at how we’re playing and I don’t think that in the matches where we dropped points we played badly. We could have won the Rostov match and we could have done better against Dynamo, but this happens in football, no one is immune from dropping points. We’re continuing to play as we’ve played and the only thing that has changed is we’ve scored more points.
Ural are top of the league, what strengths do they have and what are you keeping an eye on with them?
They are top of the table because of their players, the level of their tactical training and because of their manager. They also had a run last year when the team went almost half the season unbeaten. This season Ural have looked solid in all areas and we’re in for a very difficult match against a good side.
After such a tense game against Spartak, how difficult is it to get ready for the next match?
Any game can be tense and it was just one match, it didn’t change anything really in the table, and it’s the same three points as in any other match. This weekend’s game is no different. We know games with Spartak are more emotional than other matches, but we have forgotten this game and are preparing for Ural, who are just as touch an opponent, and we should only think about that game.
Does Ural being top of the league motivate the team more?
I don't think it increases or reduces motivation. Our motivation is to get to be at the top of the league and to do that we have to get the best possible result in every match.
We know that you have a good relationship at the stadium with Viktor Goncharenko. Do you talk outside of matches?
Yes we chat and have a friendly relationship. I have great respect for him as a person and as a manager.
What’s the injury situation? Is everyone available?
Nothing has changed, the squad that we have had will also prepare for this game. We’ve had no new additions to the treatment room.
