How did you spend your summer before the Gazprom Training Camp? 

I spent time with my family and friends. as I usually do on vacation. When I'm in Russia, relatives rarely come to visit me, so I'm always glad to return to Argentina and meet see my friends and those I have not seen for months. This time I was mainly with my family, and with Leo Paredes and his family. We went to restaurants in Buenos Aires together.

Have you had time to look at why last season was so disappointing?

We did not achieve what we wanted to because we failed in several very important matches. Most of the teams that we played are very defensive, which we weren't ready for, we were just not used to this manner of playing the game. Adapting to such formations can be quite difficult. Of course, we really wanted to get into the Champions League, but, unfortunately, this didn't happen. Now we have a new coaching staff and it's a new era, so in the coming season we will try to put things rights from last season.

How long did it take you to get used to the Premier League?

At first I had a hard time, as any player who moves to Europe from Latin America has. I set myself an individual goal, to score as much as possible. Plus I wanted the team to win in every match. I will try to do everything again so I achieve this in the new season. 

Zenit fans organised a special Argentine tifo from the stands Were you impressed?

Yes, I really liked it, all us Argentinians in the team liked us. The fans chose the very typical Argentine word "La barra", which means people united by one goal. It was a surprise and it was very nice! We've had fantastic support throughout the season, a huge number of fans at every home game. It has just been amazing. And I'm glad that the fans are positive towards us Argentinians. This tifo proved it. 

What did you know about Sergei Semak before you met him at the training camp?

To be honest, not so much. Just what I had seen throughout the past season. I know that Ufa are a club with not the greatest ambitions, but they really wanted to succeed and what they eventually managed to achieve was very good. Full credit to the coach for this, his work with Ufa speaks for itself. 

Do you understand all the manager's instructions? 

I would say that they are not very different from those to which we are already used to from last season. The formations and tactics are very similar. Sergei Semak loves to play, gives players space, the ability to think for themselves. We are only positive and it's the football that we really like. So we perfectly understand what the new manager wants.

Can Sergei Semak be compared with Marcelo Gallardo, under who you played under at River Plate? 

We discussed that today with Kranevitter, who I played with at River when Gallardo was just starting his coaching career. Matias said that the intensity and the exercises that Semak gives us reminds us of Gallardo. 

You were the youngest Argentinian to make the move to Zenit and had no experience of playing in Europe, was it difficult for you?

Yes and this needs some understanding. Yes, I am the youngest and I have not had any experience of playing in Europe. I moved from Argentina to Russia and these are completely different countries in terms of culture, language, everything. Anyone who understands football will understand that it is not easy for younger players to make such a move. But I took the difficulties that I had to face and have gradually learnt how to deal with them. 

One of the obvious problems in St. Petersburg is it can difficult to find mate (Argentinian tea - ed). How have dealt with this?

Oh yes, in St. Petersburg, and indeed in Russia, finding mate is very difficult. But we have our own supplier and we can make individual orders. I get a package with my name and my shirt number written on it. I also always bring some from Argentina myself, or someone brings me when they visit. So we can always get some in Russia!

You once said that you listen to reggae music, but do you listen to any Russian rap?

Yuri Lodygin loves this music. So we often hear some Russian rap on the way to training. And yes, I like it! 

Are there any parts of Russian culture that you find beautiful or unusual? 

I like the architecture in St. Petersburg and the attention that Russians pay to culture and art. The Hermitage struck me with its size and beauty. 

Are you the only Argentine who does not have a dog? Why not? 

Yes, that's it. Indeed, many Argentines have dogs, my girl asked several times to get someone, but I do not let her fulfill this desire yet. 

We know that you are expecting a child. Are you ready to become a father? 

Yes, me and Vanessa are ready! I've talked with many friends who already have children and can see that after the child comes life changes forever. I am ready for these changes and am looking forward to them!

What do you think about the World Cup? Has anything surprised or amazed you?

I've been very impressed with the World Cup but with one minus point, our national team. Not long ago, Argentina has a huge number of great players playing at top European clubs, but for some reason we don't get the results everyone expects. It seems strange to me, I'm especially disappointed by the Croatia defeat. But Argentina still have the chances to get out of the group and I hope our problems will be left behind. 
If we talk about other countries who've impressed, then Brazil, Belgium and Mexico. All teams with young players and each have a chance to win the World Cup. 

What do you think of VAR?

I dislike VAR, I do not like such innovations in football, because I believe that you need to follow traditions. If the ref did not see something, then he did not see it, these things happen. Football has always been like this, so I do not understand why it needs to be changed in such a non-obvious way. So I'm against it. 

The last question. Did you congratulate Messi on his birthday? 

No, I didn't. 

And Riquelme?

Defiantly not, he also played for Boca! Haha!