Dynamo Moscow head coach Rolan Gusev answered journalists' questions after the match with Sochi (2:0).
— Did you manage to figure out the reasons for the defeat from Rubin? Today it was clear that the players are eager to play. Was there any tough talk after that match?
— Of course, we talked and talked. It was important to see the reaction of the players, and I saw it. The main thing for me is that they reacted correctly. If we talk about Paris NN, Orenburg and Sochi, then these are completely different teams than in the autumn part of the season – they are prepared differently, they play with a different passion and excitement. If you don't tune in to such teams or one or two players drop out, then there will be problems, which we did.
— How is Andrei Lunev feeling? Why was there a rotation of goalkeepers?
— Andrei is about to start training in the general group. As for the rotation, there were no complaints about Igor, but we made this decision together with the goalkeeper coach so that Kurban would play today. We need to look and understand what form all the players are in.
— Milan Majstorovic played for the first time in a year and a half. How would you rate his 45 minutes on the field?
— He is completely healthy and looked good in training, so we decided to release him on the field. When you have such a defender and he is healthy, then, of course, you have to try him. It is clear that he is in suboptimal conditions. If he hadn't got a bruise, he would have played more. We need to understand how he will look in a more intense game.
— Is the fact that you went to three central defenders connected with his appearance in the squad? Or with the fact that Sochi scored 9 points in the last three matches and you were a little afraid of them?
— This is also due to the appearance of Milan, too – we decided to try this scheme. We were definitely not afraid of Sochi. We were just preparing for this opponent.
— Carcedo, Musaev and Celestini say at press conferences that they are preparing for the Cup through championship matches. Today you have released other players than in the game with Rubin. Were these educational measures, or were they playing some kind of bundles and combinations?
— I have the impression that we are being prepared for the Cup since I took over the team. And it seems to me that this is not a very good message, because everyone is reading it, watching it, and in the subconscious it can sit with the players. And it could affect the matches we played. We need to think about today and the next match, and ahead of us is Lokomotiv. Of course, we are looking at different combinations, but this is not only for Krasnodar. I also tell the players that you can think about anything, but on the pitch we have to show everything here and now.
It is clear that at this stage of the Cup these are super important matches for everyone. But these coaches, it seems to me, have only just started talking about it, and I've been hearing about it for a long time. Maybe this is right, maybe you need to be constantly reminded of this. For example, Valery Gazzaev brainwashed us with the first place, reminded us about it every minute, and we walked under this pressure all the time. It affects everyone differently. Someone might listen and think that you can go out in the championship relaxed – that's not good.
