Klyuev: 'We demonstrated quality football'
Lokomotiv youth team head coach Denis Klyuev valued his squad's performance against Mordovia (0:1) highly.
- I have no questions to the guys for the quality of play, - he said. - The team demonstrated their determination and quality football. But if you don't score, your opponents score, and that's what happened in the second half. Of course the absence of several leaders influenced us but we gathered our best reserves.
- What did you change after the game against Arsenal?
- The guys added in tackling and desire to win, in the determination to fight for the ball, and to win in every episode. The players stood for each other. There was a real team on the pitch. Late in the first half, and in the second half we demonstrated quality football.
- Would a draw be fair?
- The game's over, and the scoreline's a fact. We played to win. We had chances but lacked a killer pass, although we did manage to pass midfield quickly. Of course, we also lacked good finishing.
- How would you explain the late mistake when the team conceded?
- The guys are still young. The defenders had the ball and wanted to pass it forward, while all they had to do was to play simplier.
- How would you evaluate the performance of those footballers who played out of their usual positions?
- I have no questions to them.
- When will the internationals return?
- In the end of the month. I hope we'll have an optimal lineup by the time we play against Dinamo. We're going to fight. We owe them something.
The official website was providing live text comments, the official Twitter account was following the game.
Watch the recording of the game on Lokomotiv’s official YouTube channel.