“We didn’t play on the field”: Sochi forward Koldunov about the match against Rostov, criticism and the opening goal

“Everyone understood that excessive emotions would be inappropriate”

- Did you know in advance what will be played in the Rostov match?

- No substitute football player knows for sure whether he will enter the field or not. It all depended on how the match develops and what positions the coach considers necessary to strengthen. But since it is now allowed to make five substitutions, the thought soared that the chance to play is great enough. I prepared, tuned in, and I had the opportunity to prove myself.

- What emotions did you feel when the coaches called to the edge?

- Pleasant excitement. For me, this is just the second match in the RPL. And after a long break I really wanted to feel the atmosphere of the stadium and the fans again. In general, I came out with the desire to enjoy the game.

- In the allotted 21 minutes, you managed to give the goal assist to Dmitry Poloz and score yourself. What emotions did you experience from the first effective actions in your career at an elite level?

- Inside I was overwhelmed with joy, but I realized that it was not worth it to openly show my emotions. However, judging by the number of negative comments on social networks, I did not really succeed.

- Many people think that you should not be happy, given the circumstances?

- I scored my first goal in the RPL. For every footballer, this is a memorable event, and it was difficult to not respond to it in any way. In addition, this goal was important for me in terms of further development and gaining confidence. But if I had the opportunity to rewind time, I would try to make a straight face.

- By the way, when it became known that Rostov would play as a youth team, they did not discuss in the locker room before the match that it was not worth celebrating goals?

- This moment was not discussed, but everyone understood that unnecessary emotions would be inappropriate. In the locker room, everything was as usual: the trainers gave the installation, and we tuned in to the game.

- How did the fans in the stands react to your goal, because he became the tenth, and before, not a single team in the RPL scored a double-digit number of goals?

- Most of the fans present at the match sympathized with the rivals. But when I distinguished myself and the announcer announced my name, I heard cheers. Even when I went out for a warm-up, some shouted my name. I am extremely grateful to the fans for this!

- Vladimir Fedotov after the game said something to you personally?

- The coaching staff praised and congratulated. And in the next lesson, all the debuted guys and Sasha Kokorin, who entered the "Club 100", ran through a traditional living corridor.

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Publication by Nikita Koldunov (@ni_junior) Apr 18, 2020 @ 7:28 am PDT

“Little depended on us”

- What was the first reaction in the team when it became known that the Rostov youth team would come to the game?

- On the day of the meeting, the team woke up with the thought that we were waiting for not a full match, but a bilateral. Until recently, they did not understand whether the meeting would take place or not. Just before lunch, the leadership announced that the youth squad would come out against us. Talk about this option was conducted before that, but for sure we did not know anything.

- Before the match there were rumors about the transfer. What was the opinion of the players themselves?

- Little depended on us. There is a club management that makes a decision and voices it to us. Then the team does its work and tries to give all the best. If it was decided to hold a meeting, then there were good reasons for this. We have to play the season in such conditions. In my opinion, one could be allowed to fly to Sochi to the main team of Rostov, but without the coronavirus-affected players.

- The club was considering an option in which the Sochi youth squad with several base players could enter the match of the 23rd round?

- Maybe this option was discussed at the highest level, but they didn’t tell us anything about it. Again, on the eve of the match, the starting lineup was determined, everyone was engaged, played combinations, tried to feel each other after so many months of inactivity. Apparently, the coaching staff and management did not want to change anything.

- How do you generally feel about the statements that Sochi should have agreed to the transfer?

- Stupid position. The decision to transfer the game is made by the RPL, not the club itself. Sochi could express its position, but the last word always remains with the leaders of the league. Why now everyone says that we should have agreed to postpone the match, I do not understand.

- Did you assume that it could end with such a crushing score?

- We considered different scenarios. The opponent was maximally motivated, for the guys it was a great chance to prove themselves. Although they are younger, at this age many famous football players have already demonstrated a high-level game. Perhaps the match would have turned out differently if we had not gone out with the desire to score and win. The gap in the account could be either less or more. But we will never know this.

- Do not you think that at some point Sochi was worth stopping and not humiliating an opponent ?

- We went to the field not to give a play. Our fans came to the stadium for the first time in three months and deserved a decent game, rather than domestic football, which the match would have turned into if we rolled the ball and didn’t strain. At this level, this should not be.

- What atmosphere reigned in the locker room after the final whistle?

- There was nothing supernatural, we talked a little and went home without any particular emotions. They only joked a little over Anton Zabolotny about the unrealized penalty, but he is a very positive guy and treats such jokes with humor.

“We immediately realized how much it would hit the club’s reputation”

- You were surprised by the reaction of the public, which sided with the Rostovites, although you did not do anything reprehensible?

- We thought about the consequences even when we were accused of refusing to transfer. We realized how much it would hit the club’s reputation. Honestly, we hoped that common sense would prevail, and we, the players, would be less affected by criticism, since the team could not influence the situation. But everything has the property of being forgotten over time, so it will be with this story. Even now, the recession around our incident is already felt. Because he was followed by new games, new tours and new problems.

- Do not you think that after Krasnodar agreed to postpone the match against Dynamo, a new wave of criticism awaits you?

- Most likely it will. I believe that the leadership of Krasnodar made such a decision based on the experience of Sochi, not wanting to repeat our fate. Now these two teams have to find free dates and adjust the training process.

- Discussed with teammates comments on social networks?

- Yes, we talked with the guys the next day before training. They joked with Zabolotny, showed each other the most funny comments. Some of them are written with such sincere anger that you read - and it becomes funny.

- How do you react to messages criticizing your address?

- I can’t understand what guides people who want more injuries to me and that goal in the goal of “Rostov” was the last in my career. I don’t think I deserved to say a la “rotten football players have no place in the RPL”. But especially “adequate” manage to write nasty things even about my family. Judging by the comments, I needed to replace, score the ball in my own net and put an end to my career. Then they would praise me.

- And how does your family react to what happened?

- Uncle takes everything to heart. Despite my attempts to explain that it is useless for haters to respond, since their main task is to insult a person, he is still trying to protect me. I myself did not even try to make excuses. Just did not read most of the evil comments.

- Did the barrage of criticism spoil the impression of a historical event for you?

“Absolutely not.” It is not for nothing that the expression “black PR is also PR” exists. Even such a discussion and such comments are part of the development. I have been in big football for quite some time now and talk a lot with RPL stars. I know how to react in such situations. Now I am absolutely calm and go about my business. Moreover, along with negative comments, I receive a huge number of good messages with congratulations and support.

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Posted by Nikita Koldunov (@ni_junior) on Apr 18, 2019 at 1:09 am PDT

“I am happy that I am speaking with Kokorin on the same team”

- At the Rostov goalkeeper Denis Popov, after the match, the number of Instagram followers has increased significantly. Did the last match affect your popularity on social networks?

- According to my manager, there is an increase, but, of course, the numbers are not as crazy as Popov’s. The emphasis in this situation was still on the opposing team, which instantly affected the interest in them.

- The ending of this season - a chance for you to get close to the starting lineup in the next?

- This is my main task at the moment, the goal to which I am going day after day. Judging by the two matches and the training process, it seems that I can compete with the current players of the main team. If one of them gets injured, a chance may appear even earlier than I expect. A player’s career is influenced by a host of factors beyond his efforts. You need to be prepared for everything.

- What is it like to play in the same team with a level footballer Alexander Kokorin?

- This greatly affects your progress both in the training process and during matches. He always has something to learn, what to peek. And Sasha himself is a very open and kind guy who will always tell you and help. It is very easy for a young football player to develop, being with him on the same team.

- Who is your role model among Russian football players?

- All the same Kokorin. I am happy that I am speaking with him on the same team. In training, I look from the side and understand that this is a player of a European level. His thinking on the field and football skills are worth a lot. I would also single out Anton and Alexei Miranchuk, it seems to me that they too could play in Europe. But I consider Andrei Arshavin the best Russian footballer of the 21st century. I doubt that anyone will soon be able to get closer to his level of play.

- Are you a graduate of the Zenith Academy and you probably dream of returning to your native land and entering the Gazprom Arena field in a blue, white and blue t-shirt one day?

- In St. Petersburg I was born and raised, so this is a special place for me. Since childhood, we have been instilled with love for our team, and all my life I dreamed of playing for it. At the age of 10, he entered the academy, played many matches for the youth team. But at some point I realized that I needed to move on. There was an offer from the Sochi main team, we accepted it, and now I'm here. The desire to return to my native club is always with me, because there is my home, my family.

- And if you have the opportunity to upset your favorite team in a Sochi T-shirt ...

- I'll forget it, but I will not celebrate out of respect for the city and the club. Since childhood I have been rooting for Zenit, although I stand for Sochi. For football players, this is normal practice. But I’ll go out to the match charged to win and do my best to help the team.