Nikolic: The team fought for every ball

Lokomotiv’s head coach Marco Nikolic reflects on the game against CSKA (2-1) in Gameweek 29 of the Russian Premier League.

- Today was the derby. Both teams needed a win. At some moments the game was very interesting for the fans, but it is still football in the context of the coronavirus. Especially in the last 20-25 minutes, when the teams often found themselves five against five in different parts of the field. I don’t really like that kind of football, but I delighted with the way Lokomotiv played. The guys left everything on the pitch, fought for every ball. If you play like that, it is impossible not to score a goal and not to win.

I want to congratulate the players with this victory. It was a lesson for us that we need to put such emotions and energy into every match. Now we will definitely play in the Champions League, but we don't want to start from qualifying rounds. We need to get directly into the group stage. Now everything is in our hands. There is only one game left to reach the final goal. And now we are one hundred percent focused on it.

- You brought on Anton Miranchuk very late in the game. It seemed that the aim of this change was not to win, but to waste time.

- At the press conference after Orenburg, I said that I would not comment on the substitutions. This is part of my job for which I am responsible. Sometimes it is worse, sometimes it’s better. But the most important thing is that we achieved the necessary result.

- What’s the situation with Eder?

- We do not know yet how serious the injury is. Now we are going to the training base, and in the morning we will have more information.

- Some outlets report that Farfan has extended his contract with Lokomotiv.

- I don't read the press. But I am happy that Farfan is with us and he is fit to play.