“Everything is not so hopeless for Krasnodar”: Shalimov about the match with Porto, about Safonov’s confidence and about Galitsky’s dream

“If you manage to score - it will be generally wonderful”

- Did you convince you of the first matches of the RPL that Krasnodar is ready to start in the Champions League?

- At the moment this is not the team we are used to in the last season. “Krasnodar” has always been inherent in a quick game with one or two touches, the creation of a large number of moments, pressure when the ball is lost. Now this is not, due to the arrival of a large number of newcomers. All of them, except Ruslan Kambolov, who, in my opinion, fit very well in the composition, stand out for their individual qualities. But Krasnodar in recent years has been strong after all as a team game. While I do not see her, but the wards of Murad Musaev have great potential.

- What is the advantage of Krasnodar over Porto?

- Firstly, the championship has already started in Russia, but not yet in Portugal. This is a very important point. In addition, several leading football players left Porto at once. The opponent also has problems. And if you compare the difficulties of the teams, it turns out that everything is not so hopeless for Krasnodar. Yes, Porto is an experienced European cup fighter, selection works great in the club, but ...

- What other trump cards does Krasnodar have?

- Recently, we have become accustomed to the fact that the “dragons” win their national championship and are directly selected to the group stage of the Champions League. Last season, Porto lost gold to Benfica, and this suggests that not everything is as good as it was before.

- That is, the "bulls" can relax ...

- Of course not, but, apparently, Porto are now not as strong as in matches against Lokomotiv, Spartak and CSKA. Then the powerful Portuguese played were clear favorites. I repeat, if we take all the problems of the opponents, I would equalize the chances in the confrontation between “Port” and “Krasnodar”.

- It is no secret that Krasnodar is very dependent on its tactics. It seems that the team simply does not know how to play the "second" number.

- This is not true. The fact is that in RPL Musayev’s wards can demonstrate branded football, which is not always successful in European competitions. There are teams of such a high level that they simply take the ball to themselves and do not give it to the opponent. But last season we saw how competently “Krasnodar” acted “second number” in the confrontation with “Bayer” and “Valencia”, including positional defense. The team scored a lot of goals in the course of quick attacks, but did not manage to distinguish themselves after the standard position.

- What is the special danger for “Krasnodar” in the match against “Porto”? Where is the Achilles heel of the team located?

- There is no such thing as excitement for any particular zone. The first match "Krasnodar" plays at home and it is very important not to miss. To some extent, even a 0-0 score will suit the team more than an effective draw, although, of course, in Portugal it will not be easy. And if you succeed in scoring, it will be generally wonderful. And in Krasnodar, the southerners will drive the crowded stadium forward. Everyone will fight.

“Krasnodar” is not playing the football that we used to see ”

- How do you rate the debut of Remy Cabella in the match against Zenit?

- At the moment, I would not talk about his game either good or bad. I can only say that in recent years, Krasnodar was practically not mistaken with the purchase of legionnaires. And if such money was paid for Cabella (€ 12 million according to Transfermarkt - RT ), then he is definitely a high-class soccer player. The only question is how long Cabelle will need to adapt.

- In the match with Zenit, it seemed that Younes Namli was constantly pulling the ball forward, even if the situation does not require it. Will the midfielder’s playing style become a problem for Krasnodar?

- It will be possible to judge this only at the tournament distance. I am sure that Krasnodar will eventually catch the game that we are all used to. But now for Sergey Galitsky the most important thing is to break into the Champions League group. And all the summer purchases of the club are aimed precisely at solving this problem. This is an absolute all-in game.

- Ari as part of the southerners is indispensable. In your opinion, are there any chances to see Ivan Ignatiev or, say, these two players in a pair at the start?

- There is, but, talking about “Krasnodar”, you still can’t forget about the style of the team. Therefore, when Ignatiev comes out at the base, Ari becomes not the second forward, but falls to the “ten” position, which was previously held by the contingent Mauricio Pereira. Nevertheless, the Uruguayan himself looked better on her than a naturalized Brazilian. Musaev in this situation is more visible. Most importantly, the coaching staff, even releasing Ignatieff, will not depart from its style. This gives hope that Krasnodar will return to its game.

- Is it worth waiting for experiments from Musaev at all? Suddenly he will try to surprise his opponent.

- He will not depart from his traditional arrangement. This can happen only if “Krasnodar”, God forbid, will lose. Then in the end both Ignatiev and Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov will come out. You just need to recoup. And before the start of the game, southerners will adhere to their structure. Moreover, it is very difficult to surprise something in modern football. I am sure that Porto understands exactly how the bronze medalist of the Russian championship will play.

- Christopher Olsson seems to have two hearts, but he is not too good at promoting attacks. Is there an alternative to him in the midfield of Krasnodar?

- I believe that now there is no need to look for an alternative to the Swede. I repeat, Krasnodar is a high-quality team, but so far it is not playing the football that we are used to seeing. Most likely, she will come to him, but already in the RPL. Of course, I want to believe that the southerners will break into the group stage of the Champions League. In this case, Musayev’s wards will face very difficult matches. And there we will not discuss about any corporate identity of Krasnodar, since the rivals will force them to play in the way that suits them. They just pick up the ball and don’t give it away. But Krasnodar is very important to get into the group. But first you need to go through the “Port”.

"For Safonov on the eve of the Champions League is absolutely calm"

- Matvey Safonov took a place at the gates of “Krasnodar” only last season, but it operates almost unmistakably. Does he have the same strong nerves as Igor Akinfeev?

- Yes, indeed, they can be compared by psychotype. I am personally not familiar with Akinfeev and did not work with him, but in his actions on the field, self-confidence is felt. For example, he may not jump to the public, but calmly take a few steps to the side and catch the ball. Safonov is just as confident in himself, although they cannot be compared by virtue of age. But for Matvey on the eve of the start of Krasnodar in the Champions League, I am absolutely calm.

- But Safonov made his debut in the first team of Krasnodar with you.

- Yes, in a home match with Amkar in 2017. Matvey was 18 years old. The goalkeeper coach, who worked a lot with Safonov, already confidently stated that he could be easily put on. And so it happened.

- Last season, fans often scolded Alexander Martynovich and Uros Spayich. At the start of the season, the team has already conceded four goals. Does the Krasnodar defense center cause you concern?

- They played last year. And what are their mistakes? Are we talking about the beginning of an attack or about a game in case of an opponent’s counter-attacks? These are different things. I believe that in terms of the start of attacks, they are second only to two duets in the RPL: ​​Yaroslav Rakitsky and Branislav Ivanovich from Zenit and Samuel Zhigot with George Dzhikiya from Spartak. Nizom and Martynovich and Spayich play perfectly. This is a good pair of defenders.

- How do you feel about the conversation that Krasnodar betrayed its own idea of ​​11 pupils in the squad and was purchased by the legionnaires?

- In general, I think that Galitsky did not deserve any reproaches based on what he was doing. Yes, of course, he can dream about it. But it is unlikely that Galitsky meant that 11 pupils will play at the base at the age of 20-22 years. Now there are three of them: Ignatiev, Safonov and Suleimanov. And this is the most talented generation of southerners - born in 1999. But when they are 28, new stars may appear that will be stronger than the legionnaires. Then we'll talk about 11 pupils.