The match with Lokomotiv could be a league title decider. Does this put pressure on the team?
No, it doesn't add any more pressure on us. We are preparing for the Lokomotiv match in the same way we do for any opponent. We know everything depends on us and we’re playing to win, as we do with every game.
Your previous two league title wins with Zenit came in away games, does having the chance to win it at home give you added energy?
It gives us added strength that on Sunday there will be a lot of supporters at the stadium. We will do our best to make them happy.
Loko are on a streak of 11 consecutive wins, does the chance to break this steak give you another incentive?
This is not the first thing for us to focus on. Yes Lokomotiv are having a great Spring and Grzegorz Krychowiak has been scoring and playing well. Fyodor Smolov also looks very good at the moment. Their team have been scoring freely and playing well, but every match is its own story and every run has to come to an end sooner or later.
Do you think Sunday's game will be open or will it be a defensive affair?
Lokomotiv’s recent matches show them as a team that defends well and deep. I think the strongest parts of their game is counterattacking and set pieces, so it is unlikely that the game will be very open or we’ll see a lot of chances for either side.
Your team have looked good in recent matches and you’re playing well. Does that make it difficult for you to choose your best XI for Sunday's match?
Many of the players played well in our last match, but that was a different match and against Rotor, where we able to attack a lot. We had a more attacking lineup in that game, so we'll see what happens in this upcoming match. We’ve time to look at things and see who’s in what condition before we make a decision. It’s always a nice problem to have when you’ve competition for places.
Is everyone available for the match? You said after the last game that Lovren might be back. How is he doing?
We do not have a precise answer to this question yet. He is training, but on an individual programme and not with the squad. In the next few days, we'll see if he is able to play in the match.
