Blue and white midfielder Bitello spoke about the team's progress during the season, work with Rolan Gusev and his team in Brazil.
– The team stopped a step away from the Superfinal of the Cup of Russia. What was missing in Krasnodar?
– It was a good match, in which everything was decided by the details. I think we had the right qualities to get to the final, but we just didn't have enough. We need to forget this match as soon as possible and work further to become stronger by next season.
– Was it hard watching the penalty shootout from the sidelines?
– Of course, it's difficult. I always want to help the team and would like to stay to shoot a penalty, but I felt a strain in the back of my thigh, so we decided not to take any chances.
– There is another match with Krasnodar ahead, and for the third year in a row, in fact, the question of who will become the champion is being decided again. No feeling of deja vu?
– Of course, we remember the match when they did not allow us to win the title, and last year's match when they became champions. But now we are full of desire to beat them in order to finish the season well. We have two matches in which we can beat Krasnodar and Baltika – this is very important for us.
– The main motivation in the upcoming game is to prevent Krasnodar from getting a golden double?
– We should not think about Krasnodar. We understand that it was not the best season for us, and we could have performed better. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. We work well in training, we have a strong squad, so our team definitely deserves more.
– The team scored 17 points in the first round, 22 in the second and there are two more matches in reserve. How did you manage to improve the results?
– Now the team is more confident and positive. In the first half of the season there was Valery Karpin, who had some requirements, then Rolan Gusev came, who had different requirements. I think his style suited the team better, he has a great relationship with all the players, so it's no coincidence that we had a series of victories at the start of this year. We need to continue the same way next season and get stronger.
– Roland Alexandrovich was once a great performer of standards. Did he tell you something personally?
– He didn't tell me anything, but I saw cuts of how he played and performed standards. This season we are effectively using the standard provisions, and here it is necessary to note the work of our analyst Andrei Panov – he highlights the weaknesses of rivals. Our players also have a great effect on them, and I'm happy to help the team with my assists.
– You have recently surpassed the bar of 100 matches for Dynamo. What does this figure mean to you and how do you evaluate this period in your career?
– Of course, I am very happy about this event. When I first arrived at Dynamo, I immediately felt great. I have good indicators, and I think they will only grow. I am very happy to play for Dynamo and would like to play many more matches in blue and white.
– According to the goal + pass system, you scored 12 points in the first season, 15 in the second, and now 16. Do you feel that you are constantly progressing in Russia?
– I think so. I've been giving more assists this season and I feel great. Individually, I think I had a good season, but I need to keep progressing and finally win the title with Dynamo.
– You have been here for almost three years. What do you like most about Russia?
– Moscow is a very beautiful city. I feel comfortable and safe here – safer than in Brazil. Plus, RPL is a very strong championship, which I like.
– During the season, you extended your contract with Dynamo until 2031. Are you ready to stay in our country for a long time?
– I am very glad that I extended my contract, but life is an unpredictable thing. You don't know what will happen tomorrow or the day after. I can say that I am happy at Dynamo and I feel great here.
– In your social networks, you can often find publications about The King team, where you are listed as president. What kind of team is this?
– This is a team from my hometown. We are playing in the 7-on-7 football championship, and my friends are playing there. They have helped me a lot throughout my life, and I decided to create this team to help them become football players too and enjoy the game.
– Pele is considered to be the king of football, and who is the best former and current player in the world for you?
– It's hard for me to talk about the players of the past, whose games I haven't seen much. Of the modern players, I have always followed Neymar's career, and now I really like Lamin Yamal.