Summer newcomer of Dynamo Ivan Sergeev told about the first weeks at the new club, adaptation to the requirements of Valery Karpin and love of hockey.
— Tell us how the first two weeks at Dynamo went. Have you fully settled in Novogorsk yet?
— The first days and weeks went great. I knew many guys from the national team, we crossed paths somewhere on football fields. Now the main thing is to get in game shape, because I missed a lot. It is necessary to gain not only physically, but also when working with the ball. I think there won't be any problems, as all the guys and the coaching staff support me.
— How many percent have you managed to get in shape?
— I can't say that I scored it one hundred percent. It's hard in some moments, I'm still looking for myself. I'm already ready for about 70-80 percent, and through games you get in shape faster. The more matches, the faster I will get in shape. God grant that everything goes well.
— There has been a lot of news and rumors about your protracted transition. How did you react to them?
— I didn't react in any way, because I don't read them either in the press or in social networks. I try not to pay attention to it. I am glad that everything turned out exactly as I wanted.
— Your transition was announced with a video about the abolition of serfdom in the time of Alexander II. Did you like it?
— Of course, it was interesting to see. A lot of people threw it off to me, and I watched it once. A video with jokes, humor – I appreciated it all. This is part of football, the media must develop, and this direction is developing very well at Dynamo. At the top-1 level, I would say so.
— If there was an opportunity, what historical epoch would you like to visit?
— Probably in the time of Pushkin and Lermontov. It would be interesting to be in St. Petersburg or Moscow.
— To what extent have you already adapted to the requirements of Valery Karpin?
— The requirements are familiar to me from the national team. Now the most important thing is to get in shape, and the rest is clear. We have a lot of theoretical classes, they chew everything up, tell us what to do. So there is no problem with this at all.
— How would you rate your debut in the match against Baltika? What was missing in this match?
— The debut turned out to be very unsuccessful. Both my team and I didn't win. One more goal was not enough to win, because even with a bad game, you can turn the match around and win it. But that's okay. It's good that it happened at the start. Let's draw conclusions, see what we had enough of and what to do next.
— Already in the second round you scored against Rostov. Can I call this ball typical for you?
— The ball was on the flank of Caceres, I realized that there was going to be a pass to the penalty area, ran behind the defender and put my foot in. You could say he scored his typical goal. It's good that we managed to rehabilitate ourselves for the unsuccessful game with Baltika. I think we'll roll in now and everything will be fine.
— Have you crossed paths with Dynamo in the national team, have you already formed friendly relations with someone?
— Yes, I communicate well with all the guys I play with in the national team. The first person I met was Kostya Tyukavin – we talked to him in the stands when my presentation was. Kostya is a cheerful and kind guy. I wish him a speedy recovery so that he can start training faster and help us.
— In the last match of the national team with Belarus, you gave two assists to Yaroslav Gladyshev. Is it possible to say that you already understand each other well on the field?
— It is necessary to understand the whole team. It's good that everything turned out so well in the match with Belarus, we managed to give two goals to Yaroslav. I think the understanding is already there. I understand the requirements of Valery Georgievich, how to play on the football field, so everything will be fine in this regard.
— Is it realistic to play a three–pronged attack Sergeev - Tyukavin – Gladyshev? Are you comfortable operating on the flank?
— Yes, it would be interesting to see it. But our coaching staff decides. In any position where I will be released, I will fully devote myself to the game and benefit the team. And so, of course, I would like to play a threesome.
— You have spent almost your entire career in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Samara. What is your favorite city?
— Cherepovets.
— Are you glad that this season we will play at least twice in Samara with the Wings of the Soviets?
— Yes, because I have a very warm relationship with this club, a lot of friends, not only on the football field, but also among the fans. When I came not in the status of a Krylia Sovetov player, I was very warmly supported. When I entered the field, they applauded me, shouted words of support from the stands. It's very nice, very warm, so, of course, I will be glad to meet Krylia not only in the Premier League, but also at the cup game.
— Last season you managed to play with Ulvi Babayev at Krylia. How do you assess its prospects and Dynamo youth in general?
- Dynamo has very good and promising young people. I think the guys have a lot to strive for. The coaching staff will help them open up to reach a good level. The guys are cool. Ulvi and I were in the Wings. I can say that he is a very good, technical guy. I praised him when he scored against Akhmat and Lokomotiv. He said that he has every chance, everything is in his hands, the main thing is to continue to progress, everything will work out. I wish it to all the guys.
— You said that you follow hockey – have you managed to visit the hockey "VTB Arena" yet?
— No, I've never been there yet. I hope to be able to go this season. And so, yes, I follow hockey, I am interested in this sport. I follow not only the KHL, but also the NHL.
— Who will you support in the Severstal –Dynamo match now?
— I will not go to this match (laughs). I will cheer for open and interesting hockey.
— Alexander Ovechkin, who came to the first round match, has just arrived in Moscow. Did you manage to communicate with the legend?
— No, I don't know him personally. I just saw him at the stadium. And so, of course, I watched the Washington matches and was rooting for Alexander to score a record goal as soon as possible. I congratulate him on this achievement. And so far we have not crossed paths, I hope that it will work out soon.