The head coach of Dynamo Moscow, Marcel Licka, answered journalists' questions after the meeting with Lokomotiv (1:2).
— We have played three games in the last week, and we can say that we played them at a high level. We lost to CSKA 1:2, although we played well with 10 players. Our game was even better today. Unfortunately, the outcome of the match was decided by the set pieces. We had good quick counterattacks, but we didn't have enough luck on the set pieces, and Lokomotiv took three points. We need not only to play beautifully, but also to use our chances.
— Why did you decide to go out without a nominal central striker? And comment on your idea with Carrascal in the role of the "false nine".
— It worked well for 80 minutes. We are not the first team to play without the central forward. I didn't put Mehdi because he got a red card in a cup match, and he should understand that there is discipline, and you can't let the team down. Well, it happened once with Spartak, but now it's the same in the game with CSKA at the moment when we equalized the score and took the ball under control. It was possible to release young Bokov, but I liked the Carrascal option. I can say that it worked very well.
— In the middle of the second half, Skopintsev had a cramp in his leg. Why is it so early?
— He already had cramps in the game with CSKA, and today again from the 70th minute they started. But he said he could finish the game, and there are no big problems there. He always makes a lot of work and played well with CSKA, after which there was little time to recover. He played well today and showed what we want from him.
— There was an impression that Dynamo should have led 5-0 after the first half.
— It was necessary to use our moments. On the other hand, we must pay tribute to the opponent, who also played a good game. Lokomotiv used their moments, this is football. They won because they were efficient. They prepared well for the match, tried hard, and luck smiled on them. Maybe in the next game she will smile on us.
— The first half turned out to be one of the best quality of the season. Why was it not possible to continue in the second one as well?
— We had a great first half and played well in the second. It is clear that the opponent slowed down the game a little, because it was hard for them to keep up with us. The judges watched the replay for a very long time, then allowed the goal, and there were five minutes left until the end of regular time. And first one player lay down on the lawn, then another, but this is football, and it was necessary to score earlier. The opponent played smart.
— How many players will be back in line for the next match?
— Milan Majstorovic definitely not, because he will go to Serbia, and only after his return will the timing of his recuperation become clear. Niko Marichal and Danil Glebov may already be training with us on Wednesday-Thursday.
