Manuel Da Costa: “Match against Spartak will be absolutely different this time”

Before the game on Sunday Lokomotiv defender in the interview to club`s press-office has told about days off in Paris, features of football on snow and his expectations from the match against Spartak.

-    More than 10 days have already passed after the last game in Championship against CSKA. This small break was useful or it has thrown off the track a little bit?

-    To my mind this break came very opportunely. We had been playing in a very tough schedule two times per week last time. In principle, it`s a normal schedule, but if you play permanently, psychological tiredness accumulates and concentration falls. Thanks to this break we have taken breath and now we`re absolutely ready for last 4 matches.

-    In the end of previous week the team had two days off. Did you spent them in Moscow or flew home?

-    I flew to Paris. Considering the time of flight I had really few time for chating with family and friends, but it`s definitely better than nothing. By the way, even in Paris I went to gym to keep my shape.         

-    It looks like winter has come to Moscow. Is it unusually for you to train in a such weather?

-    I trained already on snowbound pitches: in France and Netherlands the weather can be severe as well in late autumn and winter. I can`t say that it`s very comfortably to train and to play in such facilities. But at the same time it`s stupid to complain of weather for professional football player. However it`s necessary to amend something. For example I don`t like to push the ball wherever it is and I try to find my team-mate and pass him a ball in all situations. But when you play on the snow, it`s better to avoid the risk and simply kick out the ball forward in some moments.

-    The last match against Spartak became very disappointing for Lokomotiv. Do you have an explanation – why?

-    It was an accident. Since the first minute everything went wrong for us, sometimes it happens in football. We lost 0:3 but I think everybody understands: this score doesn`t mean that Spartak is in three times stronger than Lokomotiv. I`m sure that this Sunday football will be absolutely different in Luzhniki.

-    By the way match against Spartak will take place on the artificial grass of Luzhniki stadium. What were your impressions from playing on this pitch?

-    Frankly speaking, they weren`t not the best. There are absolutely different feelings on the artificial pitch. In addition I seriously injured my ankle past year and after that injury I`m not recommended to play on artificial grass. I mean a couple of matches during the season is quite normal but I wouldn`t be able to play the whole season in Luzhniki.