Our team’s head coach Mirko Jelicic’s thoughts after the game against “Sogdiana”.
– It wasn’t an open game. Both teams tried to show their game. We played very poorly in the first half. The opponents must have been satisfied with the first half. They played well with the ball, without the ball and in defense. In the second half, we corrected the situation. When you play the first half so poorly and score two goals quickly, the game changes. The mood has improved, because we played the first half poorly.
– What can you say about the defenders making a number of mistakes in the first half and giving the ball to Doriev?
– Such games happen. We started today’s game in a different system. Oleg Zoteyev couldn’t help us today. That’s why we played with three central defenders. We haven’t played like this for a long time. They did a good job in this regard. And there are such small mistakes. You can’t get away from it.
– We didn’t see Muhammadali Reimov for the second game in a row. We also didn’t see Jasur Yakhsyboyev on the roster today.
– Reimov had an old injury he got in the national team. His muscle injury is bothering him a little. We didn’t put him in danger and we expect him to recover completely. It’s not a serious injury, but it’s bothering him. A month and a half ago, Jasur Yakhsyboyev had a muscle injury, which he later recovered from. However, he felt uncomfortable again in training. We didn’t want to put him in danger either. It’s better if he recovers completely.
– Three players left Lokomotiv during the summer transfer window. However, their places were not filled. What is the reason for this? Is it the financial situation or are you satisfied with the current squad?
– We need players. We are looking for new players. We don’t want to lose young players, they are ready to play football at this level. Even if we get another player, we will attract young players to the squad. And the young people, in turn, are taking an example from their older brothers and gaining good experience. We could have lost several players to achieve our goal.
– How much did Jamshid Saidov leaving Lokomotiv and becoming the head coach of Kyzylkum change your plans?
– Jamshid was a great help to me. He was working well with the players. We lost an important person who was helping the team in many ways. Sadriddin Abdullayev should add a little. And the work he is doing is good for himself. We have increased the duties of Sadriddin Abdullayev.
– Until the FIFA days, Nikolay Ivanov was a regular player. In the last match, he came off the bench and scored a goal. What is the reason for his substitution?
– When he came to the team, he was in good physical condition, and that is why Jovan Nisic did not play much. Now it is the opposite. Jovan is in better condition. Nikolay is now mainly a support player and does not have time to play in other positions. It is impossible to use both of them at the same time. And changing them every game and putting them on the field can reduce emotions. Both of them like to play freely. Now Jovan is in better condition, and we will see in the future.