“Tedesco is a top-class coach of the European class”: what did they talk about after the first Spartak victory in RPL in two months

“You would think that everything was perfect, but it’s not.”

In the derby with Lokomotiv, Spartak scored three unanswered goals and won the first victory in the RPL since the end of August. And the main creator of success was the new team mentor Domenico Tedesco, who managed to tactically beat Yuri Semin.

“I am very glad that I managed to win today. Although, I think the bill is too big. If you just look at the scoreboard, you might think that everything was perfect, but it is not. There are so many things to work on. We already talked about this in the locker room during the break, made some adjustments. Today's success was achieved due to hard work, compactness in defense, dedication and coherence of the whole team, ”Tedesco said at a press conference.

However, he noted that with him, Spartak will play not only on counterattacks.

“Of course, we need to work on how to competently open, work faster with the ball, play with one touch. Today there were enough moments when my wards made extra touches and lost the ball. But if you take great teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, then they own the ball and act on counterattacks. Both components are important in modern football, ”Tedesco added.

One of the most successful decisions of the new coach was the transfer of Zelimkhan Bakaev to center field. As a result, in the match with Lokomotiv, the midfielder gave three assists.

“Last week I received 10 questions about Zelimkhan and his role. My answer is: I personally discussed with him his role, asked how comfortable it is for him to play under attackers. He replied: “Coach, I really like it! Here I can give an assist, I can score myself. ” I could not refuse him. But, despite the fact that Bakayev played two matches closer to the center, there is still the possibility that in some fight he will return to the flank. Universal players are great, ”explained the German.

Tedesco also spoke about the yellow card received in the first half, which was his first career.

“He touched the reserve judge. My mistake, I make the decision of the arbitrator. In general, I do not like to discuss the actions of the referee, otherwise you can find a lot of excuses: it snows, although it always snows in Moscow, the ball is not the same, the pitch is bad, the wind is blowing. You should always look at yourself, ”Tedesco summed up.

In turn, Semin was very upset by the defeat, which threw his team from the first place, but tried to find positive moments in the incident.

“Today we looked rather poorly, to put it mildly, missed a counterattack in the situation with the first goal, although we could not allow it ... Maybe we had an advantage in possession of the ball, we were more often in half of Spartak’s field, delivered more hits , but the specifics, explosive actions were not enough, especially after the break. We were a little slowed down. 0: 3 is even good. Football players need to understand that the most important thing is the desire to win. It was a surprise for me that in the second half it was not enough, ”admitted the coach of the railway workers.

Spartak is a team that must win. ”

After the devastating defeat, the Lokomotiv footballers were not at all eager to communicate with the press, but the Spartak players happily stopped in front of the journalists and spoke positively about working with Tedesco. So, the main character of the match, Bakaev, said that the coach said during the break.

“He asked to add, play even more aggressive. We ran and won due to our character. In the second half we came out as the last fight, and the result is logical. After the break, there were more emotions. It’s nice to give assists, but the main thing is the result on the scoreboard, ”said Bakaev on the Match TV channel.

He also told what exactly changed in the team with the arrival of Tedesco.

“Only two weeks have passed, and much work remains to be done. Further more. I needed to get used to the game in midfield, as I had never played in that position before the match against Rubin. But I was always drawn to the center, so it was not so difficult to adapt, especially when the coach believes in you. Thank God everything works out. But I think that I still have to add on this position, ”Bakayev expressed hope.

In addition, the football player was asked to compare Tedesco with the previous Spartak mentor Oleg Kononov.

“They are different coaches, each has its own approach. Each one is good in his own way. New specialist, new emotions. The team has become a little calmer and is gaining points because of this, ”Zelimkhan said.

No less contribution to the success was made by Jordan Larsson. The striker came on as a substitute during the second half and managed to distinguish himself twice. And after the match it turned out that the Swede simply could not play badly, because the whole family was present in the stands, including his father, the legendary Swedish footballer Henrik Larsson.

“Before entering the field Tedesco said that he needed a fresh player to counterattack. He also asked me to score - and I did it. This is a very good day for both me and the team, as we have not won for a very long time. Spartak is a team that must win. So this victory is very important both for us and for our fans, today they were magnificent, as always. I can imagine how happy they are now, ”said the forward.

Larsson also admitted that with Tedesco's arrival, the atmosphere in the team has changed for the better.

“Yes, this is clear, in the last round we took one point in the match against Rubin, and now we beat Lokomotiv, the team that led the championship. Everything is changing, I hope that with each game we will be better and better, ”added Jordan.

The attacker also answered his critics, whose number after the derby with Lokomotiv is likely to decrease.

"Many say:" Why did Spartak buy Jordan? Today I answered them. But that doesn't really bother me. It is always difficult to join a new team, and, of course, everyone will talk about Spartak, this is a big club, ”said Larsson.

“We like Tedesco’s ideas”

And George Dzhikia was especially happy about the victory, because he, being a pupil of Lokomotiv, was not useful to his native team, but he grew up to the captain's armband in Spartak.

“Impressions of the match, of course, are good. We are glad that we were able to win, and even with that score. Everyone fought, tried. Everything that was planned turned out. “Locomotive” fell down? This is expected, because they were tired. Therefore, the first half turned out to be more or less equal, and in the second we added, made replacements, and breaks began to appear in them, which we took advantage of. When there is such an open game, then, of course, I really like the derby. And no one canceled the clashes and emotions, because everyone wants to win. Everyone has their own goals in the standings, ”Jikia summed up the meeting.

He also congratulated the entire coaching staff of Tedesco on their first victory.

“A new coach always brings changes with him. Today we played according to the new scheme, and it turned out very successfully. We need to continue to train and try. We like Tedesco’s ideas. I already played in the scheme with three central defenders, I was comfortable. The first minutes went into adaptation, and then everything went. Everyone played perfectly, went to the selection. Mistakes also occurred, but where without them. We will work, ”Jikia promised.

His partner in the center of defense, Samuel Gigot, also called not to rejoice ahead of time, but to continue to work.

“Today was a good game. The coach changed the scheme, but this is only one match, we need to continue in the same spirit. It takes a little time to get used to the new arrangement. So far we are just very happy. I do not know whether it is better for us to play three central defenders. But today it has brought results. We will move step by step, give our best and believe in the new system, ”the Frenchman said.

Another Spartak legionnaire Alex Kral, at the request of journalists, examined the team’s tactical game plan in more detail.

“It was a very important match for us, our coach and the fans. Especially since it is a derby. We are very happy that we scored three points, but this is only the beginning. Yes, today we played according to the new scheme. And let three central defenders come out at the start, we were more focused on the attack. I don’t know if it’s always better to play like that, but today it worked. It was a good tactic to play with Lokomotiv, all the more so the opponent was tired after playing with Juventus. In the second half, we attacked great, had a lot of chances and scored three times. In previous meetings, we also created moments, but there were few goals. For Spartak today everything is just beginning, ”said Kral.

The Czech also spoke about what the players are talking with Tedesco after the game in the central circle.

“After each match in midfield we discuss the game. Is this a new tradition? Better ask your trainer. We are talking about well-being, the main points of the game. Tedesco thanked us today, and we thanked him. Has the climate in the team changed? This always happens when a new coach arrives. Motivation is added, there is more tactics, ”added Kral.

It is too early to draw conclusions about Tedesco’s work after the first victory, but Russian fans can already be satisfied that the German boldly trusts the talented midfielder Nail Umyarov. In the match against Lokomotiv, he again entered the field in the starting lineup and had a good game. True, in the middle of the second half, the 19-year-old football player had to be replaced after a clash with Eder.

“Everyone is happy, because it was very important to win and break the unsuccessful series. As for the damage, I feel good, let go. A replacement was most likely planned because by the 65th minute I was already tired. We defended more, but we had good approaches to the goal. I would not say that the first half turned out bad. Of course, if Andre Schürrle scored in the first half, it would be easier. But they scored three goals in the second half, ”Umyarov rejoiced for the team.

Of course, for trust Nail could not thank the new mentor.

“Tedesco is a European-class top coach. He constantly communicates, explains what and how. I have a very good working experience. Kononov is also a good coach of the European level. Oleg Georgievich worked with many teams, moreover, successfully. But everyone has their own approach, their own vision. Of course there is a difference. This is only a plus for football players. Everyone believes that we are able to climb to the top. I am sure that if we continue like this, then a good future awaits us. Is Spartak reborn? We'll see further, ”concluded Umyarov.