Sergei Semak: "The strongest available players will be selected"

The Zenit manager spoke to the press ahead of the weekend's match at the Gazprom Arena.
Sergei Semak: "The strongest available players will be selected"

The Champions League home game against Malmo will take place in exactly one week. How much does this affect the match with Krylia Sovetov?

We don’t take this into account at all. We are only thinking about the upcoming game with Krylia.

You have a number of injured players, will you give some a rest?

No, the strongest available players will be selected.

Can you give us an injury update?

Unfortunately, the injured players are not yet back in full training. We are waiting for the return of Slava Karavaev, who will be looked at tomorrow, Sardar is still not in full training and Dejan Lovren is training on an individual programme. Ozdoev is still the farthest from getting back into full training.

Krylia Samara did not start the season well, but have now found their form, but in the last four rounds they’ve got three victories. What are the strengths of Igor Osinkin's team?

They are an organised team with a good selection of players, many of whom are quite young, and already have RPL experience. They had some early defeats, so perhaps they hadn’t found their feet in the RPL yet, and maybe one or two players were missing in positions they needed. The team has a good balance and play high-quality football. We’re expecting an interesting game, they’ll be looking for a win, and of course, we want to win at home. Everything will be decided out on the pitch. 

On 21 September your supporters association celebrated its 41st birthday. What can you say to Zenit fans before three home games in a row?

I would like to congratulate the fans on this important milestone and thank them for the wonderful support that we always get at every home game. I’ll always remember the match against Dynamo Minsk, when they supported us from outside the stadium and I remember the welcome they organised before the home match with Fenerbahce. I personally have a huge number of great memories provided by them. I’m very grateful for the support they give the team!

Seven Zenit players have been called up for the extended Russian squad. Are you happy about this? Or is it better when fewer are called up?

For any coach, the more players still here the better you can prepare. Going to the national team adds mental and physical stress on the player, and possibly injury in these very important matches for the national team. I understand that the interests of the national team are above all and we all support the team. The more Zenit players who get called up and the more who play, the better for us. 

How do you feel about Artem Dzyuba’s withdrawal from the Russian national team, because he says he is not in optimal shape and is not ready for the Russian team?

This is exclusively Artem's decision and each player makes his decision alone and based on his own individual circumstances. We respect his decision as he knows what is best for himself.