The match was quite interesting and the guys played well. Perhaps it would have been easier if we had finished the early chances we had, if we had scored one or two goals earlier, it would have been much easier. The game wasn’t settled until the second goal and it kept us on edge, because 1-0 in football is a dangerous score.
We didn’t win our recent games, where we only scored one goal, any set piece, or penalty could have changed the result. We are satisfied with the quality we saw today. We created a lot of chances and played well at points. It was a well-deserved win and congratulations to the lads and the fans on a good win.
You currently have four central strikers at the club. Does this mean that Ivan Sergeev will leave or go on loan?
It doesn’t mean that. Many teams have four strikers and it’s not only us, so this is fine. The question is what formation we will play with as we have so many forwards. We will watch and think and whoever is most ready will play. If a player in the squad doesn’t get enough playing time or asks to leave or play more, we will always listen. It is important for us that the players we have enjoy being with the club and are as happy as possible, we want the interests of the player and the club to be the same.
The transfer window will close soon. Have you completed your business? Or are there more incomings and exits expected?
We are always open to transfers, but this is the work of the club’s management and not the head coach. I always say what I want and if changes are necessary to play well and get results, and sometimes they can be done, and sometimes cannot. While the transfer window is open, changes can happen, in either direction.
Luciano played wide in a front three and not as a striker today. Where do you plan to use him and how would you rate his performance today?
I think Luciano had a great match, both with his goals and how he played with his teammates. His movement was good, he was intense and he scored two goals. It was a dream debut. As for where to play him. It was very important for us that we got a player who can play in two or even three positions, depending on our formation and the condition of the players. He’ll play wherever he can help the club the most.
Aleksandr Sobolev is now officially a Zenit player. However, there’s a lot of talk on Telegram that you were allegedly against this transfer. Can you please comment on this?
I think there is no point in commenting on rumors that come from Telegram. There’s a lot written there that it is not worth paying attention to. Yesterday I congratulated Aleksandr on joining our club as he really wanted to come here and he made concessions for that to happen. First of all he wants to play football, he wants to win, and he wants to be an RPL champion. He is a highly motivated player who will definitely help us and his stats for Spartak show that he scores and assists
Zenit officially announced Sobolev’s transfer yesterday. Could he have problems adapting to the club given his past at Spartak and the criticism he has made of Zenit players such as Malcom and Claudinho?
I don’t think so. I’m sure he won’t have any problems with the team. Luciano has arrived here and trained for two days, he started today and had no problems. As for Sobolev, I’m sure he won’t have any problems with the team or in the locker room. He will work hard and give it his all to help the team and earn the respect of the fans.
When will Maxim Glushenkov return to action. Zenit have looked weaker in his absence, or do you think Luciano's arrival will solve this problem?
Maxim will return after the international break. The doctors will decide if it’s right after it or not.