Brazilian midfielder of Dynamo Bitello talked about the upcoming match with Zenit and told what record he wants to break this season.
— In the match with Rubin, the team broke a three-match series without a win. What did you manage to fix the game?
— I think we played well in the previous matches, but the victory did not come to us. So the match with Rubin was very important. We showed intense football, we were not afraid to enter the penalty area and hit – this is the most important thing. I think that was the secret.
— In this match you played in colorful boots. Is this some kind of new model?
— No, I already played in them last year in several matches. But this year I put them on for the first time and scored a goal in them. We will assume that they brought me good luck, so I will play in them against Zenit as well.
— There are two matches ahead with the most important rivals, in games with which not everything is working out this season. What do you see as the reason for this?
— I don't even know, we also show good football against the top teams, only victory is missing. In the last two matches against CSKA, we showed ourselves well, had a lot of scoring chances. We will try to correct this story on Saturday – we will come out fully concentrated and, hopefully, we will take three points. To do this, we need to show the same intensity as in the previous match and come out with confidence that we can win.
— Last year we played at home against Zenit in the same 26th round at the end of April. Do you remember that match well?
— Yes, of course, we then played with maximum concentration and won 1:0. On Saturday we have another very important match ahead of us, in which we also need to fight for each other and do everything to win.
— The victory in that match allowed the team to enter the fight for the championship. Could this scenario happen again?
— Yes, of course. If we manage to win, then we will get closer to the leaders, and then everything is possible. Plus, a victory over such opponents will give more confidence for the next matches. We still have a chance to compete for victory in both the league and the Cup. I came from Brazil, where we have several trophies every year, and I'm used to fighting for them to the last.
— In Saturday's match, you and Wendel will have a face-to-face fight for the title of the best assistant of the championship. Do you pay attention to such things?
— No, I don't pay attention at all. The main thing is that the team wins, and for this every player and the whole team as a whole must show their best game. As for Wendel, we are constantly in touch with him – we call up, we write off. But there will be no place for friendship on the field.
— You have already broken the personal record for the goal+pass system in one season. Is this season the best in your career?
— You can say that yes. In the second year I have already fully adapted, I have become more confident, I have become better at moving around the field and I am very happy with this. I am glad that I can help the team.
— In your first season at Dynamo, you scored 10 goals and gave only 2 assists. This season the picture is reversed: 3 goals and 11 assists – what has changed in your game?
— I think it's about my position. Last season I played more on the left in the attacking three and more often penetrated into the penalty area for a shot. Now I play more in the center, where it's easier for me to create chances for attacking players. Probably that's why this season it has been possible to give assists so often.
— Do you know which Dynamo team holds the record for assists in the XXI century?
— No, to whom?
— Rolan Gusev – he made 12 assists in 2001.
— Wow, it's good that I still have a few matches to try to overtake him. I will try.
— How do you like the new scheme of the game without a nominal central striker?
— It's a little hard because Tyukavin is a very important player for us. It was easy to play with him, he scored a lot, plus he helped in defense. Now we have lost both him and Arthur, who performed well on the left flank. So we have to adapt as quickly as possible.
— How did Arthur suffer his injury? What kind of mood is he in right now?
— We are constantly in touch with him, I try to cheer him up. Of course, he would like to be with the team and help it. But his mood is good, even though there is a long recovery process ahead. I think a trip to Brazil will help him, where he will be able to see his family and recharge with positivity.
— In November, you starred in a video with Arthur and Evgenia Medvedeva in the style of Brazilian soap operas. How do you like the experience of an actor?
— I didn't really like it because I'm too modest for that (laughs). I'd rather show my strengths on the field, it's easier for me there. But the video came out good.
— In Russia in the 90s, Brazilian soap operas were very popular, but in Brazil do people watch them?
— Yes, they are also very popular in Brazil. And on TV you can often see old TV shows from the 70s, 80s and 90s. My mom loves to watch them in the evenings.
— What do you prefer to watch?
— I don't watch something that way, I prefer to play FIFA, Fortnite, Call of Duty on the console with my friends and former Gremio partners.