Nico, how are you doing? (Maxim Pivovarov)
All’s well. We spent a lot of time at the training camp, so I'm very happy to be back in St.Petersburg. I feel not bad. Nothing unusual had happened recently.
Do the players hate each other after months away at the training camps? Who in paintball did you want to kill first?(Alexis)
Ha-ha! I do not think that we hate each other. We had privacy if we wanted it, we have enough free time and could spend it in our rooms. If you do not want to see anyone you could hide. And who to shoot? Hmm hmm. I think, like all the foreigners - Dzyuba! He loves to talk and tease.
How do you play the offside trap? Is someone in command of the defenders, or does it happens by itself? (Clever)
We work on it, trying to hold the line as straight as possible. Sometimes I speak, sometimes the others. But, you know, the offside rule has changed a lot recently. Now for defenders it has become more complicated with changes to the rule about advantages and interfering with play. Attackers take advantage of this. Previously, it was easier, but now even referees have doubts when the player is not interfering and when he is. Honestly I don’t like the new rules very much.
It is said that the seven-point gap - not critical. But critical our game in the championship of Russia. The team is ready to transcend themselves and to play in full gear as the UEFA Champions League? (Nadezhdin)
Yes, I hope that we will succeed. Seven points, twelve matches - everything is possible. But, really, we need to play better. Of course, the games in Europe and Russia differ. In the Champions League without exception, try to play football, but there are very many people simply stand behind. And not only the small teams, but also large - "Locomotive", for example. We are waiting for our mistakes. But, of course, we should add. Hopefully, the break allowed us to restart the emotions, refresh, and the twelve matches we will hold as it should, will be champions.
When a goalkeeper kicks the ball and it falls on your head fr om a great height, does it hurt? (Irina Sh)
It does not hurt, It goes a long way so slows down, so that when you head it, its not so scary. And here at the training camp, one day I got kicked in the head fr om Anyukova and I swear for the first 5-10 seconds did not know wh ere I was. I thought I had a concussion and everything ached. Prior to this a couple of times I took such kicks at the Petrovsky and then went to the hospital, but now everything is ok.
You will soon be 31. Will your career include another club, not just Gent and Zenit? (M)
Nothing can be assumed. I always say the same thing. In football things can change very quickly. Things can happen with getting picked or who the coach wants to play or what the club wants, but I will try my best to play for Zenit for as long as possible. My current contract will end when I'm 33 and I do not know whether the club wants to extend it. But if they offered, why not? It would be great to finish my career at Zenit, that would be completed perfect. But at age 33 of course I’m not ready to finish!
What do you think, will Russia get out of their group at Euro 2016? (Sergei Guryanov)
Well, why not? In some groups even third place will get you through. Russia is a strong team, with a new coach they have improved. This is very important. So, I think they will do it. Although it will be difficult. With Wales we played a strong team. But I'll be rooting for Russia, I support Russia.
Nicholas, do you have any family traditions? (Misha Zlydnikov)
Hmm-hmm, traditions ... I do not know about that. Let's think about it while answering the other questions.
Nicholas, who is better Hulk or Neymar? (Stepan Loiter)
That I do not know, it’s hard to say. I have not played against Neymar, but from what I see on TV, he is one of the best in the world, along with Messi and Ronaldo. Hopefully, if we achieve the right results in Europe, Hulk will also be able to included in their number.
What Russian names will you call your son and daughter? Can you make it go with the patronymic Nikolasovich! (Gregory Shuldyakov)
- Haha, soon we will give French names to our children. My wife speaks in French, It’s all French names in our family and our nephews, grandparents speak French at home. So yes, this is our family tradition!
Have you heard the Russian hit "In Louboutin?" (Sergei Guryanov)
Hmm. I’m sure I’ve heard it, I like the group Leningrad a lot.
Nico, do you plan to use your law degree after completing his football career? It would be interesting to go against you in court, lawyer v lawyer, as in the recent case with the Mayor of Ghent you showed that you’re good at public speaking. (Natalia Okhotnikov)
First, I must complete the training, I stopped it when I moved to Russia. Even now I am thinking about it, yes. But to use it perhaps I will do something a little different. To become a lawyer in Belgium, you must first undergo training for several years. I’ll be 40 years old, there will be 20-25-year-olds to work with? It is difficult to imagine. In addition, even the boss will be younger than me ... But in any case, education can help. This kind of knowledge, can help in many direction.
Why are you always smiling? (Paul Nekrasov)
Am I always smiling? Well, life is too short to be sad, and we live only once. Carpe diem (seize the day)- that's my motto. The world has enough of suffering and sorrow to be crying and sad.
Nico, for so many years at Zenit you have given a lot of gifts. For example your shirt to the fans after your 250th match for the team. Wh ere do you keep such memorable things for yourself? (Valentine Svetikova)
They are at my house. Sometimes I wear them, even in Belgium. I like to wear things that are very common. I am proud and happy to show it.
