What do you know about Zenit from St. Petersburg and are you ready to play in Nizhny Novgorod on Saturday?
Thank you very much for the question and for the warm welcome I received both when my transfer was announced at the Philharmonic and here today. I’ve been welcomed very warmly and everyone in the city has been very friendly. I knew that Zenit are the giants of Russian football and a massive club, and my expectations have been confirmed since I arrived. I’ve seen a fantastic club with amazing infrastructure. I am ready to play and I hope that everything has been cleared so I am able to play on Saturday. I want to help the team as much as I can.
Who came up with this idea to present you at the Philharmonic? Is classical music of interest to you as you looked very relaxed with the violin?
I really liked the idea, but I don’t know who thought of it. It was really nice for me and for all my loved ones who came here with me. St. Petersburg is a cultural capital and this place represented it. I have never been into classical music at all, either as a child or as an adult and I don’t know how to play any musical instrument. This was the first time in my life I’ve held a violin. It was a very beautiful event and my family loved it. Everything was so well done.
Did you speak to Emanuel Mammana or Matias Kranevitter before you came here?
No, I didn’t have the chance to speak to those guys, or any of the Argentinians who used to play for Zenit. I have an Argentinian friend who plays in Russia and I spoke to him, he told me what a big club Zenit are and how everyone knows that in Russian football. It was nice to hear that, then I came here and saw it with my own eyes.
Why squad number 32?
I had that number in my previous club and I think things were going very well wearing it. The number was free here so I decided to keep playing with it and continue this good streak.
Which Zenit players did you know before you joined the team?
Zenit are a team with an incredible selection of players, real top-level professionals. I can say that I knew Wilmar Barrios and Mateo Cassierra. It is great that these guys are at the club, it will be much easier to be able to talk in Spanish with them. I also knew some of the Brazilian players. I think I even played against some of them during my time in Argentina as a teenager.
Luciano, you said that you talked to an Argentine who plays in the RPL. If it is not a secret, who was it? Also you said that your goal is to win things with Zenit for the club's centenary, but what are your personal aims for the season and for your time at Zenit?
I spoke with Matias Perez from Orenburg. As for my personal aims, I think they are no different from the team’s aims, to do everything possible so that Zenit wins. I want to score goals, get assists and help in defence. Wherever the manager plays me I will work hard to be useful and help the team taste victory in such an important season, for the fans and the whole city.
You look a bit like Claudino Caniggia, the famous Argentinian forward, but he played a long time ago, so can you tell us your favourite Argentinian forwards and who you would like to play like?
Like every Argentinian my role model and inspiration is Lionel Messi. If we are talking about playing in the position as me then it’s Erling Haaland. I like to watch him and learn something I can use.