You can call this match a confident victory against a team from a significantly lower level. For the first match after such a long break, it’s absolutely normal to play a game like this in order to get back into the rhythm of the game. Our next opponent is a very serious test. Today we got a good workout.
Once in the past Zenit scored a lot of goals against a team in a friendly and in second half, lent them Mikhail Kerzhakov to go in goal. Were there any thoughts on giving a goalkeeper to Al Uwaynah today?
Of course not. We play our game, regardless of the score. This is all part of our pre-season preparations and we do not pay much attention to the score in friendlies, it’s the information that is important to us. It more about knowing who is fit and ready, so we can plan for the future.
Islamkhan played one half, can you comment on his performance?
We don’t just watch one game, but also how player’s performing in training. He looks good, but we will make our decisions at the end of the training camp, plus we will have another match against a very good opponent still to come. After this we’ll have the info we need.
How good was he in the match and in training overall?
He works very well with the ball and is technically very good. He has a good pass and shot too, so let's see. We’ve seen him before and now it was important for us to watch how much work he does and if he is able to compete at the speed and levels we need. In training he looks good, but as for today’s match, it is difficult to draw conclusions just on this game. After the next match we will see.
Will the decision on Islamkhan’s future be made after this first camp, or can you extend his trial to Spain?
I can give my opinions and the decision will be made by our management. How things will develop is difficult to say now. We agreed he would come to this camp, we’ve not discussed about his coming to future training camps.
A question about Alexander Kokorin. Can you comment on the situation as a whole and the fact that today he played and wore the captain's armband?
Of course, he was upset by today's news and I’ve talked to him. The fact that he played today shows our belief in him. My attitude towards him has not changed, he is a player who strengthens our team and a player we need. He shows that in every training session and proved it in today's match. The fact that he started with the captain's armband shows the trust we have in him. The team wants to support Alexander and we all back him, I am proud of my team.
Zenit will play with CSKA at the training camp in Spain, how did this match come about?
CSKA contacted us and we were able to agree on the date and time of the match. The more quality opponents we have at the second training camp, the better. More players will get the chance to play and we have more options then. We plan to play some matches with a different team in either half, then everyone will be able to play and that’s good.
How is Daler Kuzyaev? Is he training on an individual program?
Yes, Kuzyaev will be training alone until the end of this training camp and then we will see when he can return to first team training. Otherwise, there are no serious problems, everyone is fit.
Including Malcom? As he didn’t play today.
Yes, Malcolm is slowly getting back to fitness and we are gradually bringing him back in. him. We have some time, so we are being careful. We can adapt and change his training if we need to, but he is doing the same exercises as the rest of the players, but regarding today’s game, we decided to wait a bit more.
