We conceded an early goal after a good shot from a distance and this meant Lazio could play their usual game and counterattacks. After their second goal it became even more difficult, but we were able to get back into the game quickly. The second half began badly for us with the penalty and that made it even more difficult. We tried, but we couldn't get close to Lazio and they absolutely deserved the win. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get the win today.
What about Douglas Santos, how serious is his injury? Was it a sign of desperation that you used your younger player today?
We do not know yet how serious his injury is. As for younger players, they are training with us and today we gave them a chance to play and show what they could do as we had no other options. They played well and this is valuable experience for them.
Please can you comment on Barrios’ substitution?
That sub was because he was on a yellow card and we wanted to avoid a second yellow so he would miss the next game as that would be bad for us. So we replaced him.
How do Kuzyaev and Zhirkov manage to stay in such good shape with the number of matches they have played recently, especially Yuri?
We always try to protect them and give Yuri a rest at any opportunity, at the moment we don't have that opportunity, because we have a limited number of players. The same applies to Kuzyaev, there isn’t anyone to replace him. So they have to play. For them, the fixture list is very, very tough.
Zenit haven’t qualified from the group stages for the second time. Do you think this is a failure?
No, I don't. This is reality. Considering our top players have hardly trained, Driussi and Azmoun have one training session this month and Malcolm just a little more. It was difficult to expect success.
Before the match, you ruled out that you will play three central defenders. When did you decide to play 4-2-3-1?
We thought, but of the defenders at our disposal was only Prokhin, it would be difficult for him to play in such a match from the first minutes. For some of our central defenders, playing three central ones is not entirely clear. We chose the usual scheme with amendments.
Why did Malcom play as a number 10 and not wide?
If he played wide he would have had to work more in defence. Malcolm has been in full team training only for a few days and is not fully fit, there are fewer requirements for the number 10.
If we talk about the match quality and not the result, can you compare this Champions League campaign to the last one? And if it is worse, what is the reason?
Basically, changing the foreign limit and our situation with many injured players. Because of this we have very limited choices. Last year we had more options, we had more defenders. They allowed us to make changes and do things differently. Now we have no such opportunity.
Zenit conceded from long-range shots and allowed Lazio a number of chances. What is the reason for this?
As for long-range strikes, this is because they have players who shoot well from distance. They had chances as we had to get back in the game and attack in numbers. Lazio loves and knows how to counterattack well, this is a strong part of their game.
From the stands it seemed that your defenders lost out on one-on-one confrontations. Do you agree?
I agree, we have few choices in defence. The Lazio players are highly skilled and they’re good at this personal battels.
