Thoughts of our team’s head coach Mirko Jelicic after the match against Pakhtakor.
– It’s nice to return to football after a two-month break. Of course, we knew that it would be a difficult match against Pakhtakor. Both teams played football in very difficult weather and fought well, giving their all. We had a number of good, quality chances. I am pleased with our first match after a long break. We are looking for ways to develop the team.
– The Lokomotiv press service wrote that the team lost two points in this match. Do you think the team lost two points?
– Pakhtakor also had a number of good chances. If one of the two teams had to win, we had more chances at the end of the match, but we could not use them. If we take into account the whole game, a draw was a fair result for both teams.
– Mukhriddin Zoirov, Islambek Baratov and Lazizbek Mirzayev left the team. What can you say about this?
– It is not easy to release any player. They all need to play more in the second half. If any player sits on the bench for half a season, he will look for a team for himself. Such situations happen in Lokomotiv and in any team. Because it is very difficult to give a chance to all the players in the team. It is difficult to play in today’s football, if they stayed in the team, they could have sat on the bench even more. And the players need to look for a team for themselves and play football.
– Anzur Ismailov, who was told to end his career, stayed in the team until the end of the season.
– All this did not depend on Anzur. He is a nice person, very experienced. His presence in the squad is also useful for the team. Now he is opening a new page in his life and doing other things. We have an agreement with him: he should help us as much as he can, as long as he has the opportunity. However, we also understand that he is doing other things.
– Abdulloh Yuldoshev played in the previous games as a right-wing defender. Today he showed himself in central defense. Will this continue or will he return to the right wing?
– He can play in several positions. We even played him in the defensive back. He can play in central and right-wing defense. He is a real athlete – a person with speed, elasticity. A player always chooses the most convenient position for himself. Abdullah is not like that. Also, Oleksandr Kucherenko felt discomfort in his back. In such a situation, we were glad that there was a player who could fill his place. Anzur Ismailov did not work with us much. That is why I could not put him in central defense.
– How would you rate Jasur Yakhsyboyev’s game?
– He hasn’t been in the team for a long time. He hasn’t played football for a long time. Our football and his physical condition need some time to improve. All the fans know what kind of quality he has. He can outsmart the opponent in one-on-one situations in the attack. But football is not only about that. I believe that he will be able to help our team a lot in the second half. How much he will help depends on him.
– How is the injured Sukhrob Nurulloyev?
– He is good. He worked hard in the hot weather today. He has a muscle injury. I think he will be ready for the next game.