Gustavo, you scored a winning goal in your debut match, 10 minutes after getting on the pitch. What are you feeling right now?
“These feelings are impossible to describe with words! I’m delighted! I couldn’t even imagine that it all would turn out this way, that I would score and help the team win against one of our main opponents. My dream came true. I want to say thank you to my family and to all of my teammates who welcomed me incredibly here.”
The goal was so beautiful! Tell us more about it.
“Yes, the touch was perfect! During training sessions my teammates and I practice shots and finishing attacks a lot, and it’s great that today the shot was accurate. Though what’s most important is that we got three points, so we continue fighting for the first place.”
What objectives did you have entering the game? The score was 1-1 and the game was very tough.
“I think if the manager is sending you on the pitch in such moment, it means he is expecting you to be able to change the course of the match. All this time I was searching for the opportunity to shoot or to start the attack, I tried to do something unusual. Wendel, Malcom and I were able to perform a great combination and the goal turned out to be fantastic.”
You celebrated the goal by dancing with Wendel, which is becoming a usual Brazilian way to celebrate. Tell us, were you rehearsing this?
“We decided that if everything goes well and there’s going to be a reason for it, we would do this dance! It has already become a signature of the Brazilians in Zenit, so I’m especially happy that I was able to score today and show our dance celebration to the fans.”
You spent a little over 15 minutes on the pitch today. Do you feel ready to play for the whole match?
“Yes, absolutely. I missed a lot of time due to the injury, but in Brazil I played in all matches from start to finish. I respect all of the manager’s decisions, and he will be the one to decide how much play time I will get.”
There were more than 50,000 people on the stands. How was the atmosphere at the Gazprom Arena for you as a footballer from Brazil where the fans are also passionately supporting their teams?
“The time that I spent at Corinthians taught me that the fans support teams like it was today in St. Petersburg. I felt wonderful, almost like home! It was very important for me, because all of these 50,000 people deserved to see a Zenit win.”
Who will you dedicate your debut goal to?
“All of my goals I firstly dedicate to God, and of course to my family and friends who care about me back in Brazil.”
