— Has Doha changed with the start of the World Cup?
– Many indulgences have become, for example, beaches have been made free, the metro has free entry with a card. With the arrival of foreigners, the city has become brighter, more dynamic. But there’s no holiday feeling, like there was in Russia in 2018. I’m sure the World Cup in Qatar will be at a decent level, although everything here is top notch, even without tournament. I don’t even understand what else could be added to the infrastructure of the city. And this tournament does not interest me either.
You haven’t posted any videos of your matches yet. Why?
– The start of the volleyball championship has been postponed to mid-January due to the World Cup. We will have a shortened tournament, I will be going home in April. The snow will melt in Moscow – see you soon in the capital.
– Tasks for the season?
– I bet on medals. And I want to succeed in the Arab Cup – last year we were only fourth. Six matches in seven days is tough, but we’re going to make an effort. For several months I hit “physical”, I threw 15 kg.
“How are you having fun?”
– In Doha, I have a lot of free time – I don’t need to fly, all matches are in the same hall. I spend all my time on myself. In the evening I go to the restaurant with friends from the team, during the day I swim and sunbathe. I don’t kill myself in front of the computer. I also learned Arabic, there are no problems. He came two years ago and didn’t know anything, but now it’s like a fish in water.
I miss my family. They cannot be transported permanently, they can only fly to visit Doha for the New Year holidays.
— What is unrealistic for a foreigner to enter Qatar?
– Just a passport. You must be born into a Qatari family for mum and dad to be citizens of the emirate. Everything else is available – apartments, cars…
How long do you plan to play volleyball?
– I did not think about it. I feel much better at 34 than at 25. If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.
***
– How can there be no interest in the World Cup?
– He didn’t interest me in Russia either – he didn’t attend a single match. There’s more free time here, maybe I’ll check it out. It’s not my vacation. My holidays come when Spartak plays.
At this moment, a friend offered me a ticket to Brazil with Serbia. I will look.
Why did you decide to let the Poles pass?
What should I do there if I hate them? It’s easier for me to watch a cup of tea in front of the spotlight than to waste my time driving to the stadium. I don’t have tickets, I don’t ask anyone for them. Just a friend came and donated. It could have been a France-Denmark match. But I’m lucky to go to my brothers. Their handsome captain said he wouldn’t try on an LGBT-colored armband. I will also watch the Brazilians.
– Seizing the Poles at the stadium would be epic. What do you think?
– Haha! No, what should I be afraid of. Just not interested. They have now calmed down a bit, they write almost nothing on social networks.
– Who will be the world champion?
– I bet on France, I think they will defend the title. But I don’t give preference to anyone – I will encourage beautiful football. You know, I’ve never seen Messi live, I would love to go to the stadium and watch him. Cristiano Ronaldo, in his shaggy years, saw when Real Madrid came to Moscow for a match with CSKA. Who knows, now I’m going to see the Brazilians and fall in love.
***
– When the Russian team won the bronze medals of the European Championship, was it a public holiday?
– Good yes. But we have medals once every thousand years. I think in our lifetime we will not see anything else like this, even if the national team is allowed to participate in tournaments. For another three to five years, Russia in all sports will not be allowed to participate in international competitions.
– Is the current team a team of the future?
– Maybe the level of the team is good, but it has nowhere to show itself. And it should be like this: you were given the opportunity to play two matches with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – come out and show yourself. And with us, Barinov says they are tired. Well, stay at home, why the hell are you going to the national team? Go to Karpin and talk to him.
At one time, when Shliapnikov came to the national team, I came to the federation and under the president, the general director and the coach I openly said: “I don’t want to play in the National team.” Everything – the question is closed. Inevitably, nobody drags in the national team.
Barinov also says the team played well defensively, but Sobolev wasted three or four chances in attack. But at Spartak, Sanya scores. Barinov is also focused on the club. Where is Spartak with Sobolev, and where is Lokomotiv with you? Basically! You came to the national team, it’s a family. And you divide the players into clubs… Dima should also be grateful that Spartak fans didn’t touch him for singing about the club.
Just boiled, thanks for letting me talk.
– If you met Barinov, would you talk even harder?
– Sure. I would say everything as it is. Blogger Kolya Ugodnik told him about singing on the plane, and Barinov sat down, shaking.
A professional athlete must give 100% regardless of the opponent. And if it’s the Russian team, the responsibility is double – you represent your country. And it doesn’t matter who is playing against you – Messi or the person who cut the shawarma in the morning and went out on the field in the evening.
– Who has the right attitude towards the team?
– There are guys like that, but I don’t want to name names. If I was Valery (Karpin), I would invite even more young people, let them have their chance. And waste, which does not need anything, should be left at home to smoke a hookah. So it’s a mistake of Karpin himself, who probably understood who did not need the national team and drew conclusions.
***
– It is generally accepted that footballers are a separate caste. What do you think of your group?
‘I’ve never climbed into other people’s pockets. You can only be happy for them that they get a lot of money. But there is only one wish – don’t piss people off, don’t open your mouth when playing like shit.
I know a lot of players, they are great guys. Here Sanya Kerzhakov flew to Qatar, invited me to her birthday. We meet in Moscow and St. Petersburg. He’s a good guy, I can’t say anything bad about him. Andrey Yeshchenko, Artem Rebrov are also great people. It all depends on the person, if it’s shit, then it’s shit. And it doesn’t matter if he’s a footballer or a janitor.
– Would you accept Kerzhakov as coach at Spartak?
– Spartak is doing well at the moment. Guillermo Abascal is doing a good job. He fell into the pit, losing two straight games, and came out without losing 13 straight games. The coach changed the pattern of the game, changed the pattern of the game. He is not a bull who has hit a wall and wants to break it. He plays, well done! A versatile young coach with room to grow. And that’s the main point.
And let Sasha work in teams such as PARI NN, in the Urals, in Akhmat. Good luck to him !
– Do you miss your favorite Spartak matches?
– Sure! This season, until my departure for Qatar, I attended almost all home matches. In Doha, I watch all Spartak matches on the computer, there are no broadcasting problems.
***
– Abascal is only 33 years old, he rebuilt Spartak in a few months and is now fighting for the virtual Champions League. How?
– Let’s be honest, Spartak is fighting for second place. With Zenit’s hegemony and ability, loyal refereeing and satellite teams, not a single team in Russia need even dream of winning the league. This empire will last for several years for sure.
– What must happen for Spartak to win the title?
– It’s hard to do. We must not stumble, but “kill” in each match. It shouldn’t be like Sochi. “Zenith” can misfire, he understands that “Sochi” will give 0:7, “Orenburg” will give 0:8, and if it is really necessary, then 0:20 can be issued. They start the championship with a 12-point lead.
– Sobolev was ruthlessly criticized by fans last year: he signed a new contract, the favorite of Fedun’s wife, stopped playing.
– I missed that moment. At some point, Sobolev really started scoring on the game. This season he looks great, but in the last games he might have grabbed a star, that’s why he sat on a bench. Abascal said he didn’t like the way Sasha worked in training. And I have the right to trust the coach. I see that he is not deceitful, he says everything correctly.
I know Sobolev’s mentality. He’s still a young boy, he could catch an asterisk. Sometimes a draft blows in my head. So Abascal does the right thing, lowers him to the ground. Will sit a few matches in reserve, this will benefit Sasha.
– Quincy Promes has become stronger than during the championship season?
Everything rests on him at Spartak. He is handsome. But Shamar Nicholson is frustrating. He’s like a piece of wood without thorns – he smacks everything. I started well, but they say it well – a worthless horse vomits from the start. I myself am wooden, but from three meters I will definitely score a goal. Nothing, we’ll see. Winners are not judged.
– Will Zenit in the final round of the Russian Cup avenge the devastating defeat?
– Go rip! Players will receive five bonuses for beating Spartak.
Open a video
Source : MatchTV
