Unfortunately, this was a bad result for us. We controlled the ball for most of the match, but we lacked sharpness in attack. There were two similar chances, one for us in the first half with Cassierra, when we didn’t score, and one in the second half with Tyukavin, when Dynamo did score. In recent matches we’ve not created enough clear scoring chances when attacking. We’re playing fine if we talk about controlling the ball, or the course of the game, but our opponent was waiting for us to make a mistake and used quick counter attacks to create dangerous chances at our end. Today we did not get the result we wanted.
Have you considered showing the players videos of your playing days for motivation? You’ve only scored one goal in the last four matches and there seems to be some sort of motivational issue?
I can’t show them that, because as a player I didn’t win the league five times in a row. When it comes to motivation, it can be really difficult. I think that the performance of certain players always comes through to provide results and goals. Now in attack we don’t look as bright as we would like, but with our movement, you can see in the statistics, the lads are running, they are working hard, but this is a difficult time for motivation. Of course, it’s very difficult to go into every game as if it were your last, but everyone is trying, and I have no questions about the players. There are matches and periods like this, so let's see, we are still in business and fighting for the top spot, and we will fight as long as there is a chance.
Do you believe in the curse of Bela Guttmann that hangs over Benfica?
I don’t believe in any curses.
So you don’t believe there is a curse hanging over Zenit that is preventing it from playing well in many games this season?
There have been a lot of matches where we have dropped points due to the quality of our play, but this is football. This means that there are things that allow one team to win and the other side not to win. I think we need to work hard and then take stock at the end of the season.
I would like to ask about Karavaev who went off injured. Is there any initial idea of what is wrong with him?
There is no information as of yet, so we’ll see. There will be a check tomorrow and then we’ll know if there is an injury or not, and if yes, how serious is it.
Do you consider Dynamo as a competitor in the fight for the title, will the battle for the title increase after today’s result?
I’ll counter that question, when did we not consider it? I’ve said all the time that Dynamo and Krasnodar are fighting for the top spot. I don’t know who has written them off, but I have a different opinion.
