This will be the second match between the 10-time Russian champions and the 9-time Azerbaijani champs. The first ended in a 3-1 Zenit win, do you remember that game?
I don’t remember it, as I was in the stands for it. I think Neftchi looked a little tired in the second half, that’s what it looked like from the sidelines. It was pre-season, and I don’t think their physical condition was at its peak then, but that’s normal. I can’t say anything about tactics, because I don’t remember to be honest.
Friendly matches for Zenit during the international break is becoming a nice tradition this season. Do you enjoy these games? And for the second time in a row the match is away, but you didn’t fly to Kazakhstan, so this will be your first international trip this season.
I think this is a nice thing, because it’s international experience, even if its a friendly. Plus, it helps change our situation with the lack of European competition. Plus the guys who might not be getting much match practice get a chance to play.
What do you think about your brother’s leaving his coaching job in Serbia?
It’s part of a coaches’ life. It happens.
Question about who is the locker room leader, can you call yourself one? What do you do to motivate your teammates before a match?
I probably wouldn’t call myself a locker room leader. If I am one, probably the other guys can tell you. I try my best and if a young player wants advice about something, I can help him with my own experiences, but I never give advice of my own. I try to create a positive atmosphere in the locker room, but it’s not really part of my character. Whether this is a leadership quality or not, I don’t know.
How would you rate the first half of the season with Krasnodar above you in the table?
The first half has not been easy. Everyone can see this and we would like to be higher in the table and be in first place, but we are where we are. I think our last game showed that. We overcame a small crisis at the beginning of the season. I think we will go higher up the table.
Have you been to Baku before? And since the match is a friendly, do you expect to start or to watch it from the bench?
I’ve never been to Baku, although when I played in Makhachkala I had the chance to visit and didn’t. If we have time there might be the chance to visit something, have a walk around the city. I don't think we will have much time though.
