“Chalov had to realize his moments”

While waiting for the coaches, the journalists shared their impressions of the match with each other. According to the majority, the meeting between Spartak and CSKA was the best game of the season.

Viktor Goncharenko, who was the first to answer reporters' questions, agreed with this position. Despite the defeat from a principled rival, the Belarusian remained in a good mood and began his speech by noting the atmosphere that prevailed during the game at the stadium.

- Summarize the derby.

- Such games are, of course, special! If children first get into matches like this, they will remain in football for life. In the fight, in the heat, in the number of events, this is a great game, just great. Perhaps we looked preferable to the opponent, but this is often the case with us. We play better, but we concede. Those moments that Chalov had, he had to realize. But at such matches, our team continues to pick up bumps and grow

- After the second goal against CSKA Moscow, you talked for a long time about something with the main referee Sergey Karasev. Smoke Screen Claims?

“Not really.” He came up and said that the game was stopped because the VAR “does not see the field”. Why then did the game abruptly resume? Although the teams in this smoke were on an equal footing. But, I repeat, it is necessary to show character. And we, with an equal score, began to play on hold.

- What can you say about the game of Spartak star recruits? Was it difficult for you to prepare a team tactically?

- I can’t say that we did not understand how the opponent would play. The composition of the four defenders was clear. But yes, we watched separately the cuts on the actions of Andre Schurrle and Guus Thiel, but, probably, Oleg Kononov will tell you better about the strengths of these players.

- Is it clear what happened to Dmitry Efremov?

- It’s not clear yet. He was taken to the hospital. We wait.

“Derby is never easy”

Minutes after Goncharenko, Kononov appeared in the press conference room. Unlike his colleague, the winners coach behaved calmly and admitted that his team was waiting for a difficult week.

- Derby is never easy. It's nice that we won in our stadium with the amazing support of our fans. The first half turned out to be equal, but in the second we were better. Although the ending of the meeting turned out to be difficult, and it’s good that the guys survived. Right now, congratulations to the team.

- You said that in the first half Spartak played better. From the stands it seemed otherwise. Doesn't it bother you that there was some uncertainty in the match with CSKA and in the meeting with Tun in the first minutes?

- If I say that something does not bother me, then I will deceive you. Of course, I understand: the team enters the field a bit enslaved. I talked about this during the break. Next, we will investigate and begin work on the bugs. As for the game, it turned out to be equal, because we had moments, and CSKA owned the ball. True, this does not suit us.

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📹🔴⚪️ Something incredible was happening in the locker room! Amazing atmosphere🙌 # Spartak, CSKA # RPL # Spartak # Gigot

Posted by FC Spartak Moscow (@fcsm_official) Aug 19, 2019 at 1:06 PDT

- You again transferred Zelimkhan Bakaev to the left flank and made it possible to play Jordan Larsson on the right. Do you understand that in this way the Russian midfielder loses his trump cards?

- Larsson scored exactly the same in Sweden. I give him the opportunity to play on this flank so that he can easily adapt to his usual position. Perhaps in time, when I see that he is ready, I will change his place on the field. The same goes for Thiel. But Schurrle can play anywhere, he has already shown it.

- Samuel Gigot is the team's top scorer. But he is a defender ...

- It's fine! I am glad that our defenders score. Remember Franz Beckenbauer. In childhood, we were all enthusiastic about this. Each player has his own strengths, my task as a coach is to help and improve these skills.

- During the match, you handed a note to Bakaev. What was written in it?

- I will not answer this question.

- Reziuan Mirzov entered the game well, but during one of the attacks, CSKA did not go to close his zone. How do you rate his performance?

- It seems to me that we criticize players too often. Every player must have a balance in defense and attack. Perhaps he did not have enough strength. I’ll deal with this.

- The team won a fourth victory in a row. Have you gained confidence in your abilities? Understand that fans have become better for you?

- With every victory I understand that the team feels more confident. Of course, confidence comes to every player at precisely such moments. I am a coach, it is part of my job. I mean pressure and negativity. But this is Spartak, I am not the first and certainly not the last. If there are no victories, questions will arise. I take this calmly, and yes, I want to win now, and not when I am 70 years old.

- This week, Spartak is waiting for the match with the Portuguese Braga. How will the team prepare for it?

- Yes, our schedule is tight. The opponents are complex, both in the domestic championship and in the Europa League. The upcoming week will be very difficult. In six days we will spend three games. Now the main task is to prepare and restore the players, to give everyone the opportunity to be in good shape. There will be a rotation. But most importantly, now the coaching staff needs to competently work out this cycle.

- When you headed “Spartak” you often remembered the phrase about “beskovo” football. Do you still care about this style?

- It is important. And I really want this style to be in Spartak. Not even a style, but a system. This is the selection of players, and the training process.