“VAR does not play on someone’s side”: what did the coaches and players say after the match “Spartak” - “Zenith”

“The ball flew into the net with some luck”

Moscow “Spartak” lost to St. Petersburg “Zenith” with a minimum score of 0: 1 in the match of the eighth round of the Russian Premier League (RPL). This result brought Sergei Semak's wards to the first place in the standings, which they now share with Krasnodar and Rostov.

After a victory in such an important match, a joyful atmosphere reigned in the dressing room of the guests. At the same time, according to the head coach of the current champions of the country, Sergei Semak, the meeting was difficult and nervous. However, he was pleased with his wards.

“We tried to play stricter on the defensive, because the main weapon of Spartak is quick attacks. In the end, everything was possible, with the exception of optional penalties. In the second half we played lower, but did not use our moments. It would be easier in the end. I congratulate the guys and the fans on their victory, ”the specialist said at the post-match press conference.

He noted that Zenit acquired a number of strong players through the transfer window, but this did not save him from staffing problems. Despite this, the team managed to show the character and emerge victorious from the principle match.

“I can highlight the whole team. Sebastian Driussi and Malcolm cannot help us. Serdar Azmun did not train all week. Oleg Shatov, Daler Kuzyaev and Alexander Erokhin just got in shape. So from the point of view of the game it is not easy. I had to use Yuri Zhirkov in the midfield. But nothing happens by chance. The shot turned out to be gorgeous, out of ten, he won’t score such, so the ball flew into the net with some luck, ”explained Semak.

One of the most controversial episodes of the match was the canceled goal scoring by Zelimkhan Bakaev. At Zenit, they remained in agreement with the decision of Judge Vitaly Meshkov not to score the goal.

“Bakayev had a clear play with his hand. All have seen it. The judge did not notice, but it is good that there is a VAR. He does not play on any side. The more matches there are with the video assistance system for the referees, the less there will be judicial conflicts, ”the coach is sure.

Summing up the derby, he emphasized that both teams were on an equal footing and that one should not attribute the unsuccessful result of Spartak to playing in European competitions and the great tiredness of the players. In general, he was pleased with the start of his wards in the championship of Russia.

“In terms of game quality, everything is not bad. We did not fall below a certain level, but the implementation is lame. Somewhere we were not lucky, somewhere judicial errors played a role. With “Krasnodar”, “Ufa” and “Akhmat” they acted better, but lost points. They themselves made a large number of unforced errors. But the season is long, somewhere we’ll lose, somewhere we’ll find, ”concluded Semak.

According to striker Artyom Dziuba, all players were satisfied with the result, despite the intense nature of the game.

“A tough match, a heavy field, many had their legs down, very tired. It is not easy and emotionally, but most importantly - they won the derby. Well, that var helped. Without him they could have lost. But the result is well-deserved. In the second half, Spartak attacked well, but there were no moments, and we could score. The main thing is that Musaev and Ozdoev should not be taken away from us, otherwise they like these guys there, ”Dziuba shared his impressions of the match.

“Aimed at serious work in the future”

A different mood was in the camp of Spartak. Head coach Oleg Kononov complained that Zenit managed to realize only one dangerous episode in the first half, which predetermined the course of the game, while his wards created more moments.

“According to statistics, we surpassed Zenit in all respects. I feel annoyed by such a defeat, but the guys are aware of this. We have not completed the task in the Europa League and have lost an important match for us now. Now they are aimed at serious work in the future. 100% will progress. My subjective opinion is that a difficult schedule affected us, ”said the mentor.

In addition, he assured that the team had a plan for the match, but many players did not have the luck to realize their moments.

“I think that they simply did not finish the transfer, although there were enough blows. We can say that Zenit has folded a lot, but we have not finalized the standards. Schürrle and Jikia did not hit, especially Andre. Zobnin beat, because he went to the shock position, he plays in such a zone. You know, this is football. I can’t change it, ”Kononov emphasized.

Many were surprised by the fact that Schurrle was present in the starting line-up of Spartak, and not Esekiel Ponce. However, the specialist explained that the Argentine should have been replaced as a more creative player at a time when the opponent’s players would feel tired.

“There are certain nuances. Several players fell sick. Others came out with a fever. Some virus cut the command. This also affected. There was a desire to change the course of the meeting, but it turned out how it happened. I always said and I will say: the team wins, the coach loses. After the defeat, any mentor delves into himself and thinks that he could have done otherwise. I accept this defeat, ”he added.

“Spartak” inflicted 12 shots on goal of the opponent against seven at “Zenith”. According to Kononov, the players tried to take advantage of every opportunity provided. Flanking passes and attacks from outside the penalty area were used.

“And if they had not beaten, then everyone would have asked why so few. It’s good that the guys are beating. It remains to realize those ideas that are. I repeat, this will someday end. The team is being built, a lot of young players. Now acquired Alex Krala. Considering his arrival, we will additionally think about tactics, ”Kononov concluded.

In turn, the players of Spartak expressed confidence that they acted better than the opponent. So, Georgy Dzhikiya noted that they understood the tactics of blue-white-blue, however, implementation problems prevented them from benefiting from this.

“In a month there were nine games, a little bit full. But everything is fine. We got a difficult stretch: we lost at home, did not enter the Europa League. If we had won today, it would have been satisfaction, but it happened differently. It is necessary to play up the composition, especially today introduced a newcomer. I hope that a break for the matches of the national team will help the team. Many thanks to the fans that they don’t turn away, that they remain until the end, ”said the captain of the red and white.

However, he did not comment on the episode with the canceled goal.

“VAR is part of the game and must be respected. I don’t comment on the refereeing, but since it was decided so, it means that there was a hand, ”concluded Jikia.

Defender Ayrton has a similar point of view. According to him, the team did not have a few moments to change the course of the meeting. He also complained about the canceled goal, but did not shift the blame for the defeat to the judges.

“It's a shame to lose at home, a full stadium, we were supported by many people, but now we need to raise our heads and move on. There are many matches ahead. It’s a pity they did not manage to take advantage of the moments. I had minor health problems, slight malaise. But they decided that I could enter the field, ”said the Brazilian.

More optimistic in his opinions was the midfielder Andre Schürrle.

“We had a great meeting. We had a long period of nine matches, some of which we lost for various reasons. A break for the national teams can do us good. We’ll recover, gain strength and return to the struggle. It was a very difficult month, I would like to thank the guys for it. As for me, I’m always confident in myself, because I know that if you don’t try, you will never score. He did it. Unforgettable goal? Football is generally an illogical thing. Such a moment. I think we were better, ”Schürrle said.

The Czech midfielder Alex Kral also shared his impressions of the match, the signing of which became known shortly before the start of the match with Zenit. He watched the course of the derby from the stands, but was pleased with what he saw.

“Fantastic atmosphere. Spartak was not bad, had a lot of control over the ball, had a fair amount of chances. Zenit had fewer of them, but they managed to use them. I can play in many positions, but now I like to act in defense. RPL is better than the Czech championship, so for me it will be a kind of challenge, ”said Kral.