Ready To Take On Ural
Tomorrow Lokomotiv fly to Yekaterinburg to play against Ural. The regular training session at Bakovka today was attended by sports reporters. The media came to watch the preparation ahead of the Gameweek 4 match and to meet Lokomotiv head coach.
Warming up began off the pitch already. Igor Cherevchenko and Dmitriy Tarasov held a short press briefing and answered questions of the top sports editions and mass media.
- You lost to Ural last time. Do you feel like avenging? – a question to Dmitriy Tarasov.
- The previous match is past and forgotten. The fresh season sets new goals and objectives. Getting ready for this clash, the mood was as usual.
- Lokomotiv have gained momentum, but in the past derby against Dynamo first points were lost, too. Did you discuss it in the team?
- After the game we gathered at our centre. The coach explained the mistakes. The following week passed in preparation for the duel against Ural.
- What do you think of your rival?
- I watched some of their games. Ural’s teamwork is good, but they used to have bad luck with finishing. They won’t be an easy target.
- What can you say about your own shape?
- Being benched, I lost some of my playing trim, but I will be getting it back with every game. I am ready for Ural.
- Who of the guys who played alongside you in midfield this season, are you most comfortable with?
- Same difference. You have to fall back on your own play.
Cherevchenko took the opportunity to praise one of Tarasov’s team-mates Delvin Ndinga. However, rotation was inevitable, he added.
- Ndinga is a perfect fit with the team and he is ready to play 90 minutes.
- Are you planning to drill some links in midfield?
- We have to take into account possible injuries and ejections . Much depends on the guys’ past game performance.
- What do you think about Ural?
- The team is strong and able – just like all other Goncharenko’s teams. I watched three of Ural’s matches. I have to say, they looked impressive even while losing 1:4 to Zenit.
- What conclusions did you make from the game against Dynamo?
- We discussed the first-half performance with the guys, not only in the match against Dynamo but throughout the season.
- How do you assess the championship start for Lokomotiv?
- Seven out of nine points possible. Normal pace.
The next thing the team did was to congratulate their fitness coach Andrey Dmitriev. He is 50 today! In a circle, the players and Loko staff greeted him with applause and warm words.
The blazing sun and cameras directed at them had no effect on the players, who started as usual with the warm-ups and running routine.
Passing squares, one-twos and pass drills, accompanied with bouts of laughter, jokes and good mood filled the whole session from start to finish.
Reporters left Bakovka reluctantly. Many of them admit the Railroaders’ training complex has become one of their favourite work spots. There is space to talk with colleagues, bask in the sun and breathe the fresh country air outside Moscow – all in the middle of a busy week. Wonderful place!
Tomorrow Lokomotiv are traveling to Yekaterinburg where the team will take on Ural on Saturday. The players are united: “We are going to claim the victory!”
