"The success of Artyom is made up of the game and charisma": Radimov about the phenomenon of Dzyuba and the prospects of "Zenith" in the new season

- Petersburg will face two important matches: on Thursday they will compete on the road with Molde for the right to play in the group stage of the Europa League, and on Sunday they will receive Spartak in the 6th round of the RPL. Will it be difficult for the team?

- These are the usual conditions for football players of such a club as Zenit. I do not think that the density of games will somehow affect the quality of the team's performance.

- How should Sergei Semak do it - try to save the strength of the base in Norway before the derby of the two capitals or not risk and release the best, without thinking about the Sunday meeting?

- I think the experiments with the rotation ended right after Zenit suffered a major defeat in Minsk. Obviously, having made such mistakes, the coaching staff made the necessary conclusions. Both of the upcoming matches are extremely important, therefore, I'm sure the leaders will appear on the field from the first minutes.

- Is the result of the first match natural?

- You know, I do not think that that ball somehow broke the team. Of course, it's unpleasant to miss at home, besides the first, but there is a two-ball reserve and a clear advantage in the class.

- So, "Molde" has nothing to oppose the leader of the championship of Russia?

- To be honest, I first saw them a week ago - I do not follow the Norwegian championship. But in general, the "Vikings" made a good impression: a trained and disciplined team. A rival worthy, but passable! Blue-white-blue should play in their strength and make their way into the group round.

- Petersburgers will play on an artificial lawn. Can this factor play into the hands of the Norwegian team?

- I do not quite understand why the cover is the reason why the advantage will be on the side of Molde. It would be so, if Zenit players had never played synthetics, but that's not so. Rivals in equal conditions, with the same "Ufa" team Semak played on an artificial lawn and won. As they say, draw conclusions!

"Dziuba and Zabolotniy have a good tandem"

- Have you heard a joke that the current "Zenith" is playing in "dzyubol"? Do you agree that the whole game of the team is now being built around Artyom and his motivation?

- No, about "dzyubol" did not hear anything. And I do not agree with the fact that all the actions of the collective are subordinated to Artem. Perhaps, such an opinion develops in those who are just beginning to get acquainted with football. The role of Dzyuba is extremely simple: he is the central striker and is obliged to score a lot and play qualitatively. Yes, he is one of the key cogs in this mechanism and is always in sight, but for the team success no less significant are other players.

- How did Dzyuba fall in love with the country?

- It seems to me that the formula for success was formed from his game and charisma. Artem has proved everything to everyone. He overcame a very difficult period in his life and career, and you know what I like most? Despite this frenzied popularity, Dziuba remained a normal person! Responsibly, I declare. We communicated, and I felt that after the World Cup he did not change at all.

• "Zenith" player Artem Dzyuba (left)
• RIA News
• © Alexey Danichev

- This is the peak of Dzuba's career? Or is he capable of more?

- It is difficult and terrible to think about something. Artem has already achieved a lot, but how he will use his data in the future, only time will show.

- While the fans admire the game Artem, his partner in the attack Anton Zabolotny undergoes sharp criticism. Even his entry into the new list of Stanislav Cherchesov was called sensational by many ...

- I have a different opinion. For me, Zabolotny adds from the match to the match. He takes shape, looks better than last season, began to score. Although I agree that the challenge to the national team is, rather, a long-term advance from Stanislav Cherchesov. But now Anton is in a position when he can take advantage of the opportunity to prove himself.

- How do you connect the Dzyuba - Zabolotny? After the first match with "Molde" Sergei Semak hinted that he did not mind betting on this tandem again.

- Yes, the duo of the guys came out good, and most importantly, that it has already begun to bear fruit. Semak tried them in business and, I am sure, will continue to use this tactic. I do not exclude that Cherchesov will go to this experiment in the team.

- What about the serious injury of Christian Noboa? His loss will hit hard on the "Zenith"?

- Yes, an unpleasant situation. He was in the playing rhythm, went out in the starting lineup, played a key role in the team. Of course, this is a loss, and I want to sincerely wish him to overcome the situation with dignity and return to the peak of the form. However, Semak has an excellent choice of performers - the composition of "Zenith" allows you to find Noboa qualitative replacement.

- We agree that the team is still in the formation stage, and even Sergei Semak can not exactly say how it will look and in what football to play through several rounds?

- Yes, it is correctly noticed. We are really watching the stage of formation, and it is very gratifying that even building a new team, Semak wins, scores and leads the championship. Personally, I do not always like the kind of football that Zenit is playing right now, but I understand what the head coach wants, and I'm confident that over time the team will look very powerful!

"I do not understand where Glushakov took this photo"

- The result of the match with "Molde" will greatly affect the mood of the team before the match with "Spartacus"?

- Of course, three points always cheer up, but let's not do shapkozakidatelstvom. No matter how the meeting between Zenit and Spartak ended, the championship is long ... and victory in this match will not solve anything. Yes, for St. Petersburg the arrival of red and white is always a special challenge, but at this point in the football year success will only be a good motivation for the further struggle in the tournament.

- Meeting with Muscovites will be the first truly serious test for the citizens of St. Petersburg?

- I do not agree! Yes, Spartak is a serious contender, but this year Zenit has already received a worthy rebuff. But the fact that these two clubs will fight for the championship at the end of the season, I'm pretty sure. There is also a third club, which will fight for gold medals, is the "Locomotive". The rejuvenated CSKA and Krasnodar, who lost Fedor Smolov, will not be able to climb so high.

- An excellent warm-up before the derby of the two capitals became your comic dispute with Denis Glushakov. Tell me about him.

- And what to tell? The whole country became his witness.

Publication from Denis Glushakov (@ glushak8) Aug 28, 2018 at 4:12 PDT

- How do you respond to the president of the "Locomotive" Ilya Hercus, who called for matches of the Champions League and you, and Denis?

- Good joke, well done! Now I know for sure that if I am in Moscow in the days of matches, then I have several tickets for good seats, and absolutely free. So I will definitely use his offer if there is free time. The joke is really great - great when people have a sense of humor. Agree, it is easier to live with it!

- Expected that your correspondence in social networks will become such a topic?

"We did not even think about it." Everything happened spontaneously. Glushakov found this old photo ... I still can not figure out where he got it from, where it was made, what a year it is. But, it seems to me that in the end a good and kind history has turned out, it will not interfere with our football. The main thing is to understand humor correctly, and this is not given to everyone.