Alexey Miranchuk: No time to celebrate, we’re preparing for Besiktas

Lokomotiv midfielder Alexey Miranchuk has shared his impressions from the game against Spartak (2:1).

- Alexey, your voice is a bit husky - did you catch a cold?

- Yes, kind of. Something went wrong while I was running.

- Did you suppose you would come in so early in the game today?

- I didn’t, though I thought I’d make an appearance. I’m always on high alert, anyway.

- In what aspects were you stronger today? It looked like sometimes the team’s endurance was tested really hard…

- We capitalized on our chances today. Yes, there were mistakes, but on the whole we were a better team. Spartak pushed hard for a goal, with crosses and lobbed balls. So we had to lock up on our half and wait to counter.  

- It’s your first game in such atmosphere when the stadium was sold out. What’s your impression?

- I’m very glad, everyone’s glad, in fact. It felt great to play in front of so many people. I’d really love to see the same on all our games.

- You and Anton turned 20 yesterday. I bet you didn’t celebrate but are you going to do that today?

- We’re going to the base now, we have to recover and get ready for Besiktas. Yesterday our teammates came up to congratulate us. But it’s not the right time to celebrate, the next game is close.