David: "I would like the focus to be on the players, not the referees"

– At the start of the season, Dynamo had more possession of the ball in all games, won more single combats and generally dominated. What is missing so far for a better result?

– I think that there is not enough implementation yet. It's not just about forwards, defenders should also act more aggressively on standards. But I am sure that since we are playing well and creating a lot of chances, we will start scoring soon, and with goals will come victories.

– A great resonance was caused by a penalty put into our goal in the match with Zenit. Your version of events, what happened there?

– I think that there was no penalty, and many people hold this opinion. If the judges on VAR pay attention to such moments, then for absolutely any touch in the penalty area it will be possible to assign a penalty. I consider this decision unfair, as well as the fact that in the match with Krasnodar the referee did not give a penalty to their goal.

We are not asking for help – we just want to be judged fairly, so that everyone is on an equal footing. Of course, it affected the result, but it cannot serve as an excuse for our defeats. We need to use our moments better, keep improving our game, and the result will come.

– Can you compare refereeing in Russia and Brazil in general? Where do scandals happen more often?

– Probably the same, in Brazil there is also a lot of controversy about refereeing. But there the judges make mistakes in all directions, in Russia we sometimes see that mistakes can be made more often against certain teams. I would like the referees to be more attentive, and first of all the focus was not on them, but on the players.

– If Alexander Sobolev can be called the most artistic striker in our championship, then who, in your opinion, is the strongest striker in the RPL? Who was the most difficult for you to play against?

– Although he drew this penalty, but Sobolev is also a strong striker. The most difficult thing for me was to play against John Cordoba – a very powerful and fast forward. And this, perhaps, is not only in the RPL, but in general for my entire career.

– What is the atmosphere in the team now after two offensive defeats in matches with principal rivals?

– Of course, everyone was upset because of such results, but I think we are on the right track. We have a good team with a good coach, so it's a matter of time before we start scoring more goals and winning. Now we need to make even higher demands on ourselves, because it's time to achieve results.

– The first derby of the season against Rodina is ahead. Have you already managed to disassemble the young Moscow team?

– Of course, we analyze each opponent. We know that Rodina is not a weak team, otherwise they would not have won against Zenit. It is important for us to play aggressively from the first minute and not let the opponent show his best qualities.

– Have you seen the goals of Artem Maksimenko, who scored a hat-trick in the previous round? Will there be special attention to him?

– Yes, I saw his beautiful goals against Akron. He is a dangerous player. Of course, I will study how best to confront him and neutralize his best qualities so that he definitely does not score for us.

– Maxim Osipenko is currently your partner in the defense center. In what language do you communicate with him?

– I have a lot of respect for Maxim. He's one of the best defenders I've played with. During the match we try to communicate in English, we help each other all the time, so we don't have any difficulties in mutual understanding.

– You recently traveled to Voronezh by train. It was probably a novelty for you, considering that rail transport is not very developed in Brazil?

– It was my first train ride, and it was very fun. We arrived calmly and comfortably, even if it was quite a long way. No problem!

– You have been in Russia for more than six months, can you say that you and your family have already completely settled in here?

– At first it was difficult because of the climate, but now we are used to it. I fell in love with Moscow and would like to show it to my relatives. We often go out with my wife and son for a walk in the city, he loves to play in parks. It's much quieter here than in Brazil, and I'm happy here. Moscow is a very beautiful city, and I hope that I will spend many years here.

– You have already carried your son Matteo to the VTB Arena field several times. Are you starting to grow a football player out of him?

– He is the most important thing I have in my life, so for me he is a talisman. When I go out on the field with him, it adds strength and emotion to me. As for his future, I hope that he will choose another profession. I remember what I had to go through to become a professional football player, and I don't want him to suffer like that (laughs). I left home at an early age, and I want him to be around longer. Of course, it will be his decision, and the main thing is that he should be happy, and I will always support him.