Barys forward Damir Zhafiarov spoke about the difficulties he faced after leaving SKA for Ak Bars.
During the current offseason, Zhafyarov, 30, moved as a free agent to “Barys” after signing a one-year contract with the Astana club. On Wednesday, Barys lost to Avangard (3:4 OT) in the Blinov Cup match.
— When you weren’t allowed to play Ak Bars, did you read books about psychology or listen to podcasts? How did you support yourself morally?
— I haven’t read many books, I haven’t looked at anything. I just talked to the right people.
— Team psychologist?
– Just my environment. Friends in life will always help.
— The situation in Ak Bars was such that general director Marat Valiullin considered you a strong player of SKA, but head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov did not need you?
— Honestly, I tried not to delve into this situation. That’s more the job of managers and coaches.
— In the setup before the match, you see that you are not in the lineup. What is your reaction?
“I accepted the situation as it was at the time. I tried to do everything in my power. And I was not directly interested in why I was not nominated. Of course, it was unpleasant. But I was eager and waiting for my chance.
— Bilyaletdinov didn’t call you for a one-on-one conversation?
— We spoke several times, yes.
– And what did he say?
— I can’t reveal the details of our conversation. I think it remains between the coach and the players. But the memories of that stage of life are different. In general, I just try not to remember it.
– Then you were traded to Avangard, where the second link was formed – you, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Tomas Yurcho. What can you say about the second part of the season?
— I remember this time with joy! Our matches… Especially when the guys from the first three rested in some matches and we took the leading roles. They played well in some matches and, in general, they were first-line substitutes. I think we played well. Of course, when you don’t win the last match of the season, you think that you didn’t do everything you could. But I have only positive emotions about this period, “Zhafyarov told .
Zhafyarov scored 2 (1+1) points in 16 games for Ak Bars in the 2023/24 season, after which he ended up at Avangard following a trade. He scored 15 (4+11) points in 25 league games for the Omsk club, adding 4 (0+4) points in 12 playoff games.
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