Happy belated birthday! How are you? Are you ready to score some goals?

Thank you very much. First I need to play. It's a difficult period right now, I think. For the first time in a long while something hurts. I cannot say that there is something seriously wrong, but I have a little discomfort. I miss not playing and I want to start going at it at full speed. Unfortunately, I'm a little out of rhythm at the moment.

Amkar haven't conceded a goal. What's their secret? 

First of all, Their Manager has been working with them for a long time and they play as a team. Amkar have always been a very capable, especially at home. We know that almost all teams in Russia are more defensive than offensive. They are always difficult to play. As results show, Amkar and Lokomotiv have been very uncomfortable teams to play against in recent years, and this will be an interesting match. We need more motivation, more aggression to stop Amkar's run of clean sheets and beat Amkar.

Are they missing Belorukov, who left for the FNL?

Many people say that, the Zenit-2 guys have passed on a hello to him from me! We certainly don't miss him. 

We are waiting for you on the field, when will you next start?

This is a question for Mr Lucescu, but I think soon. I played last game and the whole week too. I hope I will play with Amkar in the starting lineup.

Rostov created a big news yesterday. Did you watch the match? 

Of course I was supporting them, I have a lot of friends there. I'm very happy for them and I want to congratulate them. It's a great event for the city and for the club. They've currently come such grants, and it will be very interesting to see them progress. They had a good match despite the fact that Ajax played badly. I'm glad to praise them.

What did you get for your your birthday? How did you celebrate it? 

I didn't celebrate really, the gifts were from my relatives. My father came, but now the main thing is the upcoming match. Then, perhaps I'll celebrate.

Zenit will play Tambov In the Cup of Russia, Zhirkov home town, have you discussed this? 

No, for me the main thing is that we don't have to fly to Khabarovsk or Chita (Spartak Moscow drew SKA Khabarovsk). I had a smile when I saw who's going there. 

Have you figured out who you can get in the Europa League? 

No, there are too many possible contenders. I think in the Europa League we can be considered, if not the favorites, a very serious contender. Here we need to make a good start ourselves. So we do not care who we will face. 

Only three Zenit players were selected for Russia, how do you feel about this?

That's the choice of the coach and we must understand that this will be his first meet-up of his squad, it's a friendly game and the coach knows who he wants. He will view everyone and then make his conclusions. When the Confederations Cup comes along, that's the time to be selected.

Did you watch the Olympics?

Of course! I was even getting up at night to watch it. I saw most of the Olympics, basketball, boxing, even synchronised swimming. I especially liked the handball. I missed almost nothing.

Maybe it lacked a Russian football team? 

Now that would be very interesting. We would give it everything.