“The decision to put the “old guard” on the starting squad justified itself?”

“You see the result. Oleg Ivanov hasn’t fully recovered yet. He is a bit overweight now, but see how he played ! From the point that I saw the game – everyone did a good job. I can’t but be pleased with the game. What does ‘old’ or ‘young’ has to do with it? Lobos played like Yashin today. Let him always play like that! And the other guys did well. Strelkov, Adzhindzhal did their share, as well as Belozerov, Taranov, Budylin. Stavpets and Khozin played for the second time maybe in the main squad and showed themselves well.”

“The game was similar to the game vs. Zenit…”

“I don’t agree, we had some goal-scoring opportunities unlike in the game vs. Zenit.”

“But there some worries, especially taking into account Gazzaev’s resignation?”

“I became worried when I took charge of the team. And everyone who loves the team has been worrying for year now. We have only solved some problems. One shouldn’t be expecting quick results.”

“Was Gazzaev’s decision spontaneous?”

“I didn’t expect that. I haven’t seen him for two days. I have a meeting at the Russian football union tomorrow and I will be thinking it over after that.”

“Will you sign the resignation?”

“Of course I will sign it, I will never make anyone stay. But it wasn’t my decision.”

“Whom would you like to see on the position of the head coach?”

“Give me some time to get used to the thought.”

“You’ll probably have trouble getting to sleep today.”

“I am used to it.”

“What did you say to the players in the changing room?”

“I just shook their hands, including Gazzaev and other coaches, I haven’t talked to anybody.”