– The first match is always difficult. No matter how many friendly matches you play during the pre-season, official matches are completely different: a different atmosphere, a different intensity. It’s good that we got three points in this match. I think Surkhon is a good team. Today they lacked some players. Over time, everything will fall into place. It was good that we won at home. This gives the players confidence.
– Congratulations on the first victory. There were a lot of players who came to the team before the season. How well do they understand each other?
– Yes, we have a lot of new players. There are a lot of experienced players in the squad, as well as middle-aged and young players. However, we don’t have many middle-aged players. Maybe this is good in one way. Because experienced players help the young players grow. We also have a task to improve the level and quality of the young players in the squad. Today everything is in place. Of course, everyone needs time. Most of them were in another team last season. Now the team is different, the system is different, the direction is different. That’s why they still need time.
– During the winter transfer window, Lokomotiv was called a team of seniors. Today, the fate of the game was decided by the young players. Can we say that the fans were answered with the goals in this game?
– We look at this situation positively. Young players look up to and strive for older players. Older players demand a lot from younger players. I’m glad that they have such a role in the team. Do you know what the problem is? They arise from game to game. How much influence can young players have on the game, how much can they help the team. That’s the point. We, the coaches, need to be able to find a smart way out of this situation.
– What was the reason for Oleksandr Kucherenko’s substitution at halftime?
– He felt a problem with his calf muscles. At the moment, we cannot put the player at such a high risk. We will conduct a medical examination of the player and find out what will happen. He had a micro-injury before. I do not consider this a serious situation. In order not to lose more, it is better to take him out of the game and give him time to recover.
– What is Lokomotiv’s goal this season?
– We try to win every game. We also have a task to strengthen the youth. This process is underway now. Every training session, every game is a lesson for them. We always try to give them something. We look at those who come to the team to see if they can help Lokomotiv and Uzbek football. There are very few young people in Uzbekistan who can suddenly play at a high level. The team is headed to the World Cup. Many of the players in the squad are over 30. There are almost no young players who can replace them. That is why any club is now tasked with educating young players. They only improve through games with good opponents. That is why we try to give young players a chance in big matches.
– Lokomotiv’s next two matches are against Mash’al and Kokand-1912. How many points do you intend to get in these matches?
– I respect all teams. Right now, everyone is fighting for their club, their fans, their families. I think there is no weak team right now. That is why we need to prepare for all matches to the maximum. Right now, all teams are fighting for three points. I hope, God willing, that we will win these two matches in our favor. There will be no easy matches in the Super League this year.
– The Super League schedule is very tight. The teams have to play 11 rounds of matches in almost two months. How ready is the team for this?
– At such a time, we need to choose the squad wisely. If we throw 10-12 players into every game, it will be our fault if the player’s condition deteriorates. Everyone in the team is ready to help each other. This process must also be thought out. Emotionally, physically, ecologically, all players must be ready for the team, be in a healthy state. The good thing about us is that we have 20 key players in our squad, not 10.