Dynamo reached the semifinals of the Russian Cup (Path of the Regions). It is curious that this happened in Saint Petersburg, the city where the capital team was relegated from the RPL Path. And the mood is different now. After all, Dinamo did not return well from the break after the national team matches, losing to Rostov with a score of 1:4.
At the Kirovets stadium the blue and whites played against SKA-Khabarovsk. Marcel Lička admitted after the match that it was not easy. There is a tough rival and cold and rain. By the way, according to the coach, it helped. Although we didn’t play anything with the main team. Ngamale and Laxalt stayed in Moscow because they were not recommended to play on artificial grass, and Carrascal due to breakdowns.
After the match and all the formal events, the Dynamo coach answered the questions of the Championship.
– How difficult is it to emotionally take the team to the Cup after such a result with Rostov? – It is clear that our mood was not very good. After Rostov, the guys themselves in the locker room said: “We can lose, but not with the same attitude that we had.” I mean the first half. Then we fail. Today we won 2:1, we did it in difficult conditions. Yes, the opponent plays in the First League, but it was impossible to enter the field with confidence. We assume we will win 3:0 and go home. What happens if you lose? Blame the countryside, the rain, the cold?
I’m glad the players have the right mentality. We played well with the ball, as I said before, I was happy about the rain, because the ball rolled faster. We worked honestly and professionally on this match. But this doesn’t mean you should relax. And assume that everything will be fine in the future. The match against Rostov will be with us for a long time. It’s hard to just erase it from your mind.
“Dynamo” – “Rostov”
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
– Did you have a serious conversation with the team after Rostov? – We had a manly talk with the players when we analyzed the game. I said what I think and what I feel. I hope the players understood me well. Maybe someone thinks that now the coach will shout and talk, but that doesn’t interest me. My players must be professionals. Yes, there are good days and bad days. However, everyone must meet our requirements.
– Why did you use a semi-primary composition? – I didn’t want to overload some of the players. Chávez himself arrived on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. There was one day, and then – “Rostov”. We met with Marichal and Carrascal on Thursday. I don’t want my players to get injured on the artificial field. Today those who don’t always come out played. We had the opportunity to prove ourselves. They must always be ready to help the team.
How did Dynamo lose to Rostov?
The goal of Mokhebi “Dynamo” is space. “Rostov” scored four, and he could have scored all seven!
– Is Skopintsev close to returning to the main team, given that he started in St. Petersburg? – Everyone knows that Skopintsev played a lot in the fall. Well, normal, it doesn’t matter, but he had enough time. In spring he lost his place on the team. It is clear that not everyone can accept this correctly. This is good. Everyone wants to play. He now began to come in as a substitute, in the match against Rostov, now in the starting eleven. I tell my players one thing. And it’s true. If you are the best in the training process you will play in the first team. I am not my own enemy. It all depends on them.
– There is a theory that Dynamo’s training camp was so difficult that it is now reflected. What is the physics of the team like? – I am sure that the team is well prepared physically. It is clear that even in March we had a big pause. And now, three games in one week. I don’t see any problem with the preparation. I’ll be honest: Thursday night was the first time we got together as a team. Before, 10 people and young people worked. We have many players from the national team and then they return in different physical conditions. This is not an instant process. Another point is that our schedule is such that we play on Fridays for the second time after the international break. With our number of collections. Our foreign players arrive on Thursday morning and the game is on Friday. Why is this happening? I talk about it, but there is no answer.
– After Rostov, did you have any doubts that the team is still in the race for the championship? – I am sure that we are in the race for the championship. If Zenit had won, it would have been more difficult for us. But as we see, even defending champions can lose points. And we still have to play with them. That’s why we have to believe that we can win the title. Last weekend the god of football gave us a second chance. We stayed close to the leaders. They helped us up. This must be used. Zenit and Krasnodar will not constantly lose points.
“Dynamo” – “SKA-Khabarovsk”
Photo: FC Dynamo
– Is the team mentally prepared to fight for two trophies: the Championship and the Cup? – I’m sure of it. I tell my players that in the spring we only have 12 championship rounds, plus five to seven cup games. Only 17-19 games. That’s not much. It is physically possible to complete such a segment at a high level. Footballers must understand this. And don’t be afraid of anything.
– Ahead is Spartak, who did not score a single goal in the RPL this spring. Do you pay attention to those things? – No. I don’t keep track of those things. The only thing I want is to win. We lost against them in the Cup 1:4. That’s why this is a special match for us.
How are Spartak doing?
Spartak does not score, and this is not surprising. Abascal himself limits the team in attack
– As a coach, you have never drawn with Spartak. – And well. It is better to win the next game. We don’t need a tie.
