You’ve got Spartak Moscow next, what do you expect from your team and each player?
The most important thing for us is to recover from the UEFA Champions League match, to get back physically and mentally so we can play another very tough match. We have to get the players back to full strength before the game.
Speaking of injuries, who are you concerned about?
My biggest concern is Yuri Zhirkov at this point. There are several other players who have to get back from injury and this is something we have to think about. Unfortunately some changes are possible.
Spartak has a new manager and he’s had six matches in charge of the club. Do you now know his playing style?
We’ve watched and analysed Spartak’s recent games and watched all the new manager’s games. We know pretty much how Spartak play and they are now much more solid in defence. In most matches, with the exception of one or two, they’ve played with five defenders or three central defenders. There have had some changes and they have become much more organised in defence, trying to use the talents and individual skills of their players. As regards to what to expect next ... Domenico has said himself, all things are temporary, and after a long break we will see what he wants to do. Maybe he will add some players to the team, or look to adopt a new system, but this is speculation. More importantly now, we will be ready for this match.
Is it good that this game is now, and not after the winter break, when they will have had more time to settle in?
Spartak were very confident against Ural, both in terms of the quality of their play and the number of chances they created. It is very difficult to say when and it is better to play against teams. This is neither a plus nor a minus.
Tedesco has changed the role of some of the players and is not shy about shuffling things around. Are you prepared for this?
We will try to predict who and in what positions they will play. Regarding moving things around, they have two or three positions that have changed. Like any coach, he is trying to use the best qualities of the players that he has and do the best for the club.
