Looking at your opponents, Rubin Kazan don’t score many, but also concede few.
I would say they concede very few, with the exception of two matches this season, they have played very well. They organise their game well and they do not score many, but concede very, very few and recent matches are evidence of this. Rubin keep a lot of clean sheets and their goalkeeper is playing very well. They are a very well organized team who try to control the ball for long periods of the game. This is a very important match for us. After the international break, we have our own problems in recovery and preparation. We are fully ready to play and are approaching the game with Rubin in good condition.
It’s expected to be very cold there. Maybe there are players who you don’t want to risk?
We will not be protecting anyone and we look at the conditions and physical state of the players. If know that some of the players are not at 100%, but then someone else will start the game. Everyone who is fit and ready will be preparing to play in the match. We won’t be holding anyone back.
Is everyone fit after being with their international teams?
Of those who are with us and excluding the long-term injured, only Shatov has some issues. The remainder of the squad are ready to play. There is a question around Yuri Zhirkov, who did not train today. We will wait for the rest of the players to return to training and tomorrow we will know more.
Magomed Ozdoev seemed to take a heavy blow from a San Marino player, how is he now?
He’s in standard condition, but does have a bruise and shouldn’t stop him from taking part in the game.
Artem Dzyuba did not train today, is everything all right with him? Can you comment on the chants from the Russian fans towards him?
It was very negative and you can’t say anything else about it. No normal person can happily relate to this. Those supporting the national team must support the team and support all the players. Artem is absent from training today for personal reasons, which I understand he has sorted and will be back with us at training tomorrow.
The Swedish press have unexpectedly stated that their manager Janne Andersson could be coming to Zenit. Alexander Medvedev has already denied this, but what do you have to say about it?
I’m not the one in charge of looking for a new head coach for Zenit, all those questions you should direct to the management. My contract lasts until the end of May and we have no problems. I am working hard and we are where we want to be at this stage of the season.
What is Andrey Lunev’s injury status?
Unfortunately, his recovery is not going as well as we would like and at the moment he is not training with the team. We’ll see if he is back with us before the end of this part of the season.
