Miranchuk: Masterpieces? Only victory matters

In late July the RFPL launched a project called #ИграйКрасиво (#PlayNicely) that suggests the League’s pros challenge the fans to repeat their spectacular tricks. One of the episodes featured Lokomotiv midfielder Alexey Miranchuk who sent the ball into a basket from a distance.

A winner would be taken on a tour around Lokomotiv Museum conducted by Miss Lokomotiv Liza Belyaeva, and would get an opportunity to make it into the club’s history: on that day Alexey Miranchuk presented the museum with his playing boots that were instrumental to scoring a winner against Kuban in the Russian Cup Final. After the tour Alexey shared his impressions.

- Which of the attempts was successful?

- Third one. But when the crew started filming I thought it would take more, and warned them.

- Did you watch the videos of the fans trying to repeat your trick?

- I saw almost all of them. Some guys did it more spectacularly than me. Somebody shot it through a hoop.

- Have you ever taken part in such contests in your life?

- No. We never tried it ourselves, and the Internet wasn’t around back then to watch something.

- Is this your first time at the museum?

- Second, actually. I came here first when the Cup was installed. The impressions are positive - I presented my boots, and went on a tour.

- How does it feel being a history-maker?

- Difficult to say. You have to experience it yourself. I hope it’s not my last time here, and I’ll leave something else here.

- They say it takes time to fully realize the real scale of a big victory.

- I wouldn’t say so. I see the Cup at the museum, now my boots are here. And I don’t think it will influence my play. I just don’t think I will immediately start working the ball better or scoring - I’ve been doing all I can now.

- What do you expect from the forthcoming fixture against Terek? Do you want to score another masterpiece?

- I do, but a victory is all that matters. It will be a difficult game, and we’ve been preparing thoroughly.

- Will anyone else of the team take part in the #ИграйКрасиво (#PlayNicely) project?

- There are a lot of skilled guys in our team. They would send the ball into the crossbar, into a hoop, the upper 90 - anywhere, if you ask them.