How is the team and how are the new players getting on?

Firstly, the new players have not yet earned the right to start on the pitch. They work with the team in a group and are trying to adapt to our game and to the conditions in St. Petersburg. It is desirable that they will understand everything as quickly as possible. Witsel has now run for a week, Lombaerts has also had 5-6 workouts with the team and we will look at his condition tomorrow. Dzyuba felt some pain in his knee, so today we gave him some rest. All the other players are preparing for Lokomotiv. Mak and Giuliano will not play. That's all for the team. If we talk about the game, the victory is significant only when the next win follows it. If not, then we can say that the previous one was accidental. After a win like ours in the Super Cup, there is always a danger. You can come out not concentrating for the next match. I will try to do everything to prevent this from happening. We are playing against a good opponent. I watched the last Zenit v Lokomotiv game, it was not easy and no one got the win. They are a tough team, who keep the ball. They are aggressive and provocative. Plus they're strong players there. So we are waiting for a difficult match. We're starting the championship and this adventure should be very interesting. I hope and I am confident that the team will not be alone on this long journey. We need the fans. Their contribution to our victories and titles are just as important as the contribution of the players. I'm really waiting for the day after tomorrow for that first minute, they drive us forward with their support, and we all feel it. Championships are usually won by the team that doesn't lose points at home. And supporters make it is much easier to get those wins. We are trying to create a team that wins, and also that shows spectacular football. I want to mention the players, they are completely giving all in training, listening to my comments and changes and they do not have a single complaint.

Have you chosen a new penalty taker or will the players decide that for themselves?

There is a hierarchy, which there was in the past, so we will decide. Over time, this will become clear. In any such case, the most important thing to have players who are confident in what they are doing. Not players made to do it, players should be ready to come to the spot-kick.

A Russian journalist has compared your football style to that of Vlastimil Petrzhela. Do you agree with that? 

Let's talk about the match that awaits us. And now let's see how the team is warming up.