Sardar, we’ve asked you if you’d rather give an interview in English or in Russian, and you suggested to try it in Russian. Does that mean you still remember the language?
There’s no way I’d forget Russian. When I was in Germany and playing with Andrey Lunev, we spoke Russian with each other, now we also talk in Russian. I will never forget the Russian language.
We’re incredibly happy to see you! Tell us, how are you doing? Yesterday we were supporting you in the Asian Cup semifinals (Iran lost 3-2 to Qatar – ed.) How do you feel now?
This is football. I’ve always said the chances of winning and losing are the same. Though we played well yesterday. These things happen, but hopefully we’ll get a chance to play in this tournament again in four years. We’ll see what happens.
You’re at the Zenit match and met with the manager and the players. How do you feel about that, whom were you more excited to see?
I’ve missed everyone to be honest. I’ve missed the medical and the coaching staff, the players. Obviously I’ve missed Sergei Semak, he helped me a lot while I was playing in Russia, and I scored many goals with him as a manager, so I’m happy to see everyone. Hopefully, we’ll meet again in the future.
Are you still following Zenit? It might be difficult to find the time, but are you still checking how the team are doing and what the RPL standings look like?
Yes, I do follow the results and without a doubt I still support Zenit. I would love to see the team become champions once again. Zenit are always champions, and some people might already be tired of that, but I really want them to win the title (laughs). It is a team of absolute professionals and great players, so they surely have to become champions.
We’re going to be supporting you at Roma. How do you feel living in Italy in this historical city?
It’s a great city and a professional team. Rome is a lovely city. The manager has changed now, but hopefully everything will be fine.
How similar is the city to St. Petersburg?
I really miss everything and everyone. I’ve always been saying that I immensely miss St. Petersburg, the team and our stadium.
Would you like to say a few words to the Zenit fans?
I want to say hi to everyone! Although the most important thing that I want to say is that I miss the Zenit supporters. I love you, our kolhozniks (slang for farmer, a word Sardar used while in Russia to jokingly address his friends - ed.)!
