Are you surprised that there are five teams fighting it out at the top of the table? 

This season there is a close battle at the top and not just for the European places, but for the title. The top teams are well prepared and strong and we can see that all the teams are aiming for first place and not just to be around the top spots. It is really interesting for both the players and fans. I would not write off any of teams in the top five and even some of those teams a little lower down, who also have a chance. So matches with them, as well as the other top sides must be won. 

Rostov, your former side are one of the teams at the top, do you keep track of your ex teams? 

I generally follow most of the matches in the Russian Premier League. Firstly, because we have to play all these teams, and secondly because it's just interesting. I watch Rostov too because I had a great time at this club. We did well and their fans were very good to me. Rostov-on-Don is a football city they deserve a good performing team.

At Rostov, Karpin is even out-performing the Berdyev team that almost won the league in the team you were a part of it, can you explain what he's done there? 

He's come there with his philosophy and has had the opportunity to pick the players he wanted. Now they have an excellent team with top players. That with his coaching ideas has given them good results. 

Does such a tough battle for the championship title motivate you or make you nervous? 

As a player this is a motivating factor. The more important the match, the more interesting it is. More fans watch the game and they can become vital in the battle for the title.

Defending the title can be more difficult than winning it. Could the other teams be more motivated when playing Zenit?

Yes, playing against us, the champions, can make our opponents more motivated than when they play against other teams. Everyone wants to beat the champions and show they are just as good. Regarding us, when you achieve good results and reach a certain level, you must not lower this bar, but aim even higher. To do this, you have to work even harder and constantly improve. 


The full interview with Alexander Erokhin will be in this week's pre-match programme at the game with Rostov.