Sergei Semak: "We go into the winter break on a positive"

The Zenit boss on the 3-0 win over Dynamo Moscow.
Sergei Semak: "We go into the winter break on a positive"

It was a good team performance and I want to congratulate the fans with the result and the game we go into the winter break on a positive. 

As for the match, there were errors, but the players were positive and played very well, creating a lot of chances. Congratulations to the fans and the team with a good win. We will prepare for the final match before the break. 

Dynamo had looked good before this game. What is the reason for their big defeat? What weaknesses did you exploit?

They are a good team with a good set of players, with excellent attackers. Our guys are great and they did what we needed them to do. We played better and created very good chances as we approached this match in the right way and understood the issues and difficulties that might come up. It is difficult to stay focused at such a high level and to give 100% every match, but today, the guys were great and we deservedly won.

Despite the win some fans left the stands during the game as a protest. What are your thoughts on this?

We knew very well about this planned protest. We thank all the fans who supported us from the start of the match, and thank the fans who supported us during the game. But we are aware of the issues the fans were highlighting regarding policing football matches and calling on those responsible for matches to engage in discussions. To boycott games in the long run is not right in my opinion, football is for the fans and they should be able to watch matches and have fun supporting their team. 

This protest will help to unite the public, the sport and those non-sporting authorities to work on this problem. We know what needs to be done and the law should be the same for everyone, both supporters and non-football supporters. We live in a civilized country and if you do something against the law, then you must answer for it. But someone must be responsible for the law. 

Last year, you were struggling in the final stages before the break. Now everything seems better. Was last season harder or you’ve changed things?

We we went in on the winter break last year in first place and this year we are in first place too. Defeats like in the match against Rubin Kazan sometimes happen. In the match against Arsenal Tula it could have gone either way. I don’t think that we played badly last year, we just didn’t take our chances and that effected results. 

In the second half, Kranevitter came on. Are you looking to use him in the second part of the season?

Because he is training well and before now Barrios has not given him an opportunity to get in the team. We have competition for places and every player wants to start games. We gave a little rest to Barrios, Dzyuba and Ivanovic, guys who have played a lot and have been very busy. I admire the professionalism and attitude of Matias. This is an example of how to do your job. Let's see what happens in the winter break. I know he wants to play.

As well as Kranevitter, are there others that are not certain of their future for the next part of the season?

No, there are no questions about this for the second part of the season. If someone wants to leave the club or to play more, we will look at this. I will try to meet the players and deal with this. There are players whose contracts finish at the end of the season, but that’s a question for the club and not for me. Because my contract ends then too.

You’re in a situation in the Champions League when your progression doesn’t just depend on you. How does that feel?

We must do our job, but yes the situation is complicated, not everything depends on us. We have already earned seven points which is great, We’ve played with honour in the Champions League and we will do everything we can to get the best possible result in Lisbon. We’ll look out for the other match and yes not everything depends on us.

Do you know where Leon Musaev will play in the next part of the season?

Musaev and Prokhin will probably come to the first team training camp, after this we will look for any changes in the team. If there is an opportunity to use Musaev, we will and do everything so that he can play an important role in the club in the future. He has to get experience at the top level and I think he will succeed.