How did you become a footballer? (Linar Zakiryanov)
When I was little, I loved playing tennis, but as soon as I found football, I spent all free time on it, there was no question what I wanted to do after that. I tried to play ice hockey and other sports, but it was clear that most of all I liked football.
You’ve gone from amateur football to the Champions League and had your Premier League debut just two years ago, in August 2014. How did you achieve such progress? (Bearded)
This is exactly what I think. I’ve been through a lot of stages in my career and it’s been a great experience, I’ve worked day after day to get better and since my debut in the Premier League it seems to have taken really little time.
Was there ever a time when you thought about whether to stay in football (Sergey Dmitriev)
There was, immediately after junior school. The problem is that in our country is very poorly organized for the transition of young players into adult football. In many cities it is a big problem and when you find yourself in a situation like this, you start to think, what you want to do you. I can say that, in spite of everything, I never stopped. I know I needed to just go ahead and then everything will turn out ok.
Why are you wearing number 3? (Alex Prokopenkov)
At Torpedo and Rostov I wore the number 25. I think that in the winter I will take my usual number for myself. It's my birthday on the August 25th.
Which players did you like as a child? (Cyril Revva)
As a child I watched football all the time, there were many players who I remember. Mainly Russian: Not much foreign football was shown then. I cannot single out any one particular player, I just enjoyed the great masters of the game, trying to learn something from them.
Why did you become a defender? (Nikita Nikitin)
In junior high school I was playing as a supporting or wide midfielder. At some point while at Khimki the coach decided to try me in defence, based on my qualities. Basically, I pretty quickly began to adapt. Yes, I wanted to play a bit more in attack, score and get assists, but overall I'm used to it now and I like to play in defence. But I don’t mind scoring goals!
Who in your opinion is the best central defender in modern football? (Simon Erlikhman)
All top clubs have to have a great defence. But I always singled out Sergio Ramos. I like his game, his style. I have great respect for him.
Can you explain the phenomenon of Rostov? Is it Due to Berdyev, what he’s managed to get out of average players? (Oleg Popov)
I think all the factors came together. This coaching staff, who were able to unite us around a common performance, we had chemistry between the players. We all thought alike, everyone wanted to win and played by the principle of "One for all and all for one." And of course, hard work in training.
Last season in Rostov-on-Don, you confidently beat Zenit in an important match. Were the Zenit players surprised? (Prince Igor)
We always prepared for every opponent. We studied the weaknesses, prepared for their game and in that game, I even got an assist!
How can you compare Berdyev to Lucescu. They’re two very experienced coaches but with the opposite philosophies in football. Is it difficult for you to change from defensive to attacking football? (Boris)
First of all they are two very strong professionals who devote much time to the theoretical aspect of the training. Yes, they have a different philosophy, but personally I have absolutely no problems changing from one scheme to the other. At first I said that I need a bit of time to get used to it. Now I can say that I understand all that’s expected of me. Mr Lucescu explains in detail what we have to do on the field.
Do you get called an Irishman often? (Andrei Vasilyev)
Not only an Irishman! Sometimes people start talking to me in English. Especially in the hotels when abroad at breakfast. I’ve been taken as a Swede and as an Englishman. But my team mates jokingly referred to me as Irish, it was the same when I was Rostov.
Who at Zenit is your competitor in terms of style? Lodygin? (Veronica Kastrov)
I can say that at Zenit we are all very stylishly dressed!
Does your wife tells you to how to dress and how to do your hairstyle? Or are you completely self-sufficient in this? (Sveta Vasileva)
I always consult with Catherine, but on the whole my image is something that has developed over time. Sometimes things change, such as a braid, I was advised that by a stylist, but first and foremost I rely on my feelings. I won’t do something just because it is fashionable.
Who plays basketball better, you or Catherine? (By Alexander Alleexxeevv)
Of course, Catherine. When we played together I learned to appreciate how good she is!
How to spend their free time after training and matches? (Arthur Kozkin)
After moving to St. Petersburg, we were looking for somewhere to live, We moved into our apartment a few days ago. So there was not much free time to explore the city, to go anywhere. Catherine knows St.Petersburg a little better than me. Now we will have more time since our housing problem is solved. St. Petersburg is full of places where you can go to see things, the city is very beautiful. In Russia there is no better place, maybe in all of Europe perhaps. It’s very impressive that is combines old buildings with new ones, all kept in the same style. You can walk around and it seems that you are in a different era, you can just sit in a carriage, harness horses and go forward.
Who at Zenit have you made friends with? (Marina Kozlova)
Most of all Artem Dzyuba and Pavel Mogilevets, since I knew them from Rostov. I talk with almost everyone, the atmosphere here is great, I can say that with certainty I have adapted to Zenit.
Has Dzyuba played any jokes on you yet? (Basilius)
Dzyuba is the main joker in the team! He's always doing his own thing, there’s been a few good jokes already. Having such a person in the team is always good. At training we have a process that must be approached with the utmost seriousness, but after that one or two jokes is fine.
Do you have pets? (Fyodor A.)
Yes, we have a small dog. It’s Caterine’s, she’s had it since before we met. The dog likes being warm after living in Rostov, so St.Petersburg might be unusual.
