Tell us how you started your way in football. And what was the role of your father in your career? (Andersen)
It all started in early childhood in my hometown of Sao Jose dos Campos. I was played usual football at school. After some time my father met a man who worked for Corinthians football club from Sao Paulo. He took me to watch in their academy. I was then accepted and for eight years I was playing at Corinthians in the youth set-up. My Father took me every day to training and then back home. My Dad played a huge role in my dream to become a professional player. You could say he has devoted his life to the realization of this dream and I am very grateful to him.
What was the final of the Copa Libertadores 2008 like? Is it comparable with the Champions League? And how bitter was the disappointment to lose in the final? (Lech)
The first time I played in the Copa Libertadores I was 18 years old, when I was at Fluminense. Of course, this is a very strong tournament, which includes only the best clubs in South America and is the most important trophy on that continent, a comparison of the value and prestige of the Champions League is fair. But for my feelings I think it is difficult to compare the main European tournament and the Copa Libertadores, now I’ve played a few games in the Champions League. I can say for sure that in Europe is a little better organised, the stadiums used are better, but in general these are two very strong tournaments. It was an unpleasant defeat in 2008, we came a long way to lose in the final. We lost the first leg, won in the second and lost only in a penalty shootout, which made it twice as bad. But I was very glad that I was able to take part in the final, it was a great experience.
Tell me about your family. So far we only know that your dad - the store owner. (Sveta Vasilyev)
My dad, like me is called Mauricio. Yes, he has his own bakery. Eleana is my mother's name, she works at a school. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, I am the only child in the family. My wife, Fernanda loves to dance and is a dance teacher. We have our son Miguel, who is just beginning to speak his first words and already understands a little Russian. He goes to a kindergarten in St. Petersburg.
Fluminense is a famous Brazilian club. Why did you leave there? For financial reasons or for some other reason? (Ivan Varezhkin) - I played for Fluminense for more than five years, and I always wanted to play in Europe. A year before the end of the contract in Brazil there was an option to go to Terek so I decided to take a chance. It was a chance to show myself to everyone here, to try my hand in a strong championship. I love Fluminense and am very grateful to the club for everything they did for me, but I wanted a change in my life.
Grozny is a rather special place on the map of Russia. Were you surprised by it when you got there? (Roland Nedostatsky)
When I was preparing to move to Russia, I heard that Grozny was not the safest city and that the people there are quite similar in character to us Brazilians . When I got there, I did not encounter any problems. This applies to both the city, the local people and the security there. I saw with my own eyes that it was not like many people say, and for me it was a good experience. Grozny is growing very rapidl and there I met many people, so the memories of Chechnya are only positive for me.
How did you learn Russian? Did Bracamonte help you? (Natalia Yemtsov)
Yes, Bracamonte was the main person who helped me learn Russian. 90 Percent of it was him. When I joined Terek in 2010, Hector had already been playing in Russia for a few years and spoke very good Russian. He is Argentinian and our languages are a little similar, so he helped me not only to study Russian. We spent time together, he showed me where to go to meet people.
Which Russian cities have you enjoyed visiting the most? (Danil Kozlov)
A football player's career is constant travel because of matches, a lot of the time we are away from home, but we don’t really have the opportunity to enjoy visiting many cities. As a rule, we leave on the eve of the match, stay in a hotel, play and return home. If we talk about the cities in which I spent some time, of course I can talk about Grozny, because I lived there. Moscow too, because my wife and I went there at weekends, and of course St. Petersburg. I came here recently but this city has given me and my family a lot of opportunities. It is great here. There are so many places to visit: parks, palaces, beautiful streets I still have to learn all of the places here.
What do you think about the Russian cuisine? (Egor Zibrov)
I really like the soup! Probably it is the food that I love more than anything else. I can’t say I've tried a lot of Russian national dishes, but sometimes my wife and I go to the restaurant to try something new. But borsch is my favourite!
Was your first guide to St. Petersburg Hulk? Do you two communicate frequently than with other Zenit players? (Alice Vladimirova)
We are both Brazilians, so we have an extra bond, But I talk to all the players in the team, both Russian and foreigner. Knowledge of the language allows me to not be limited to standard phrases so I can keep a conversation going. I have a great relationship with everyone at Zenit.
Where in St. Petersburg do you spend your free time? And what did you do in your free time in Grozny? (Serge)
In my free time I like to go for a walk. You can just walk around the park, go to the circus, dine at a new restaurant. Plus we have a small child, he likes to go to some interesting places where he could have some fun. In Grozny in my spare time I did the same things, just the selection of places to go there was less than in St. Petersburg. Here me and my family have more opportunities. Especially now that spring has come, the streets are warmer and we can spend more time outdoors.
How do you feel you have settled into your new team? (Karabas Barabas)
Getting used to a new team is always difficult. Every goal, every win or just every good game helps you to adapt. The fact that I managed to score against Kuban in the cup match, and that this goal helped us to progress was very important. Of course, there is always something to aim for, you cannot just say that you have achieved something and then you just stop progressing. But I feel really comfortable at Zenit.
Dear Mauricio, what’s the difference between Zenit and Terek? (Anna Enaki)
The main difference is the great training base in St Petersburg. There are several excellent facilities, gyms, rooms for recovery. All this allows the players to prepare for games. Terek does not have a training base, but I am sure that the President there will begin to build a training centre for the team.
Do you regret that while you were at Terek you defeated Zenit 4-1 earlier this season? (Sasha Petrov)
I think that if I had not played well I would not be at Zenit now ha-ha! But seriously as a professional I always give one hundred percent for the team, for who I’m playing for at that moment. So I was happy for Terek then and now I’m here I will do everything possible so that we win every match and became champions and win the cup! I am sure that we have a great chance to win these two tournaments. It all depends on us, In our effort. The main thing is to give our all and fight until the end.
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