Rifat Zhemaletdinov: We have to be in the top-3 at the end of the season!

With the three last games won and 13 goals scored, Lokomotiv U-21 team have broken their unlucky run. One of the top scorers Rifat Zhemaletdinov tells the Press Service what’s the reason behind this boost and what standing the team are counting on.

– In the last games Lokomotiv are extremely effective in attack, with 4,3 goals per game on average!

– It is largely the coaches’ due. And of course, we work hard and knock ourselves out on the pitch. There’s probably some luck to that, too, but you have to be able to use it. Football gives us a chance to show ourselves, score more goals, and the rest is up to us.

– Do you mean that you used to not to knock yourself out completely, or not to work that hard?

– Of course not. I’ll put it this way: we used to work 120%, and now it’s 200%. Our current position in the table is a stimulus: we have to improve. From game to game we’re moving up, trying to prove that we’re stronger.

– So you say that the current 8th place is an upset?

– Of course, it is. We all understand that it is not where we should be. I repeat, we always try to work to the maximum and not to allow such state of affairs.

– Do you understand the reasons of the recent failure?

– We always knew we had to win. Something went wrong: we didn’t understand each other well, the young guys had joined. Now we’re becoming one, and it gives fruit.

– You scored a third of the team’s goals in the last three games…

– I have to thank the teammates, it’s not only my achievement. There were goals from penalties. How do we define who takes a spot-kick? The captain used to take all spot-kicks, now we agreed that he who earns a penalty takes it.

– Just recently you were called up to the national team and you displayed well.

– I am overwhelmed with emotions, it’s hard to put it to words. I managed to score a brace against Belgium, and another goal against Lithuania. I don’t want to praise myself but I’m very happy.

– You scored a masterpiece against Belgium (Rifat scored from a high bicycle-kick).

– I liked it too! (laughs)

– Did you watch the replay?

– Many times! Probably, it’s the best goal in my career. It was a corner, and I saw that I wouldn’t head it, so I just decided to have a go with a bicycle kick. I was lucky, the goal was good.

– Does the call-up to the national team motivate you to improve in the club?

– Of course, these call-ups motivate and give you confidence. My thinking became clearer, I started picking position better. A national team is a challenge, you play against people from other countries, from the European leagues.

– Getting back to Loko .. What final standing in the table will be the optimal result for you?

– We will fight to get to the top-3. Only this result will satisfy us.

– Next year you’re turning 20. It’s a quite an age. Have you already considered your future?

– I’ll try to show myself and work hard. I have to make it to the main squad. There’s only one goal. And what’s next - only time will tell.