— Azamat, you haven’t been in the starting lineup for a long time. Did the game feel energy-consuming?
— Indeed, I haven’t played for a long time. It was tough, but that’s our profession. Where it has to be tough sometimes. This is a normal situation. I’m ready to endure. I’m always happy to play as much as necessary. If I have to play for a minute, then okay, no questions, it’s an honor for me! The most important thing is that I’m ready to play every game, to perform at my best, as best I can, so that the team can run! This is the most important thing.
— How would you rate the current situation and atmosphere in Alania?
— The atmosphere in the team is extremely positive, despite our sad position in the table. Spartak Arturovich came, cheered everyone up, told who, how and what they need to work on. Many players know him and his methods. Those who weren’t familiar with him before are inspired, they are very interested! Everyone is ready to work and fix the situation. It was visible in Nizhnekamsk. Yes, the quality was poor, but the desire was off the charts.
— Why was it so difficult against Neftekhimik?
— Neftekhimik is a very inconvenient opponent for any team. In particular, it is always difficult for us to play against them. It was clear that our opponent is balanced. They have been trained by one specialist for quite a long time — Novikov. Therefore, it was difficult to play against them. In terms of the chances created, I think Neftekhimik deserved the victory more. But in terms of the desire to fight, butt heads and play to the end, we deserved our draw.
— But at one time, a draw in the team was considered a defeat, right?
— Yes, that’s right! We really want to get back on «our» track, when any draw for us was akin to a defeat! No matter where and against whom we played, any draw was always taken as a defeat. We want to return to our state! But such confidence will only come with a result. Do not forget that our team has been renewed by half, at least. Young people should instill in themselves the spirit of a winner, and we must remember this spirit! There is a lot of work to do.
— And what about the upcoming match in the Russian Cup?
— There is no need to say much here. For us, in principle, every game is a necessity to go out, play to the end, to win! With all due respect to each opponent, we are Alania. We are obliged to prove and show this every day both in training and in matches. We will play against Amkal. This is a media team, despite the fact that former professionals, RPL footballers and so on play there. But, with all due respect to the opponent, what difference does it make to us? No one will forgive us for failure. We will have to go out and play twice as well as is, in principle, possible!