The head coach of Dynamo Moscow, Rolan Gusev, answered journalists' questions after the cup match with Spartak (5:2).
— After such a performance, weren't you offered a contract extension? Aren't you worried that you've set expectations too high and will now be asked to score so many goals in every match?
— I'm not thinking about a contract at all. My first thought is about my players and the team. Yes, we're an attacking team, but we're also making strides defensively. We've been working a lot in training, focusing on both teamwork in defense and individual performance. Of course, it would be great if we scored so many goals in every match. But every game is different, and that's how it turned out today.
— Why did you decide to keep Andrey Lunev in goal for the cup game?
— Right now, it's a choice the goalkeeper coach and I have. We have three goalkeepers of equal value, but right now, I don't see any point in touching Lunev.
— The team performed better in the second half. What did you tell the players at halftime?
— I said before the match that it's hard to write a script for such historic derbies. They always go beyond tactics, emotions run high, so it's always erratic, with teams constantly seizing the initiative. We started the game slightly incorrectly after conceding a goal. We analyzed Spartak and realized their full-backs were breaking into the half-spaces and flanks, and that's where they started causing us problems. We adjusted this at half-time and explained to the guys how to play.
Also, Bitello shouldn't have thrown himself out and shouldn't have swapped flanks with Mumi, who's more of a defensive player. At half-time, I told him not to go to the right, where the opponent's more attacking players were. So we adjusted these aspects and brought the match to victory.
— Looking at the match as a whole, what pleased you most, and what were you dissatisfied with?
— I wasn't happy about conceding a goal late in the game—I just lacked concentration. I was happy that we were able to turn the game around at a certain point. I was also pleased with the players who came on as substitutes and did their job.
— Many wrote off Nicolas Ngamaleu in the fall. What insights did you find into him over the winter?
— I know Mumi's qualities and character. This man requires a certain amount of attention. He needs to be motivated through individual conversations. There are players who require an individual approach, and you can't give them the silent treatment, because they might close off and become difficult to reach. We all know that Mumi is a strong footballer with good qualities.
— Do you choose your own clothes, or does someone else help you? Will you be changing your suit for luck now?
— I don't have a designer. My wife and Mikhail Ernestovich (Kusnirovich) are trying to ensure that I match Dynamo's level (laughs). As for my suit, I already changed it after Krylia, so I'm not bothered by such prejudices.
— Now Spartak needs to win back three goals. How can we avoid the team subconsciously thinking about how to maintain this lead?
— I told the guys that we've made some progress, but the matchup consists of two matches, and nothing's decided yet. It's clear there's a lead, but that doesn't mean anything yet.
— When will Bakhtiyor Zainutdinov and Luis Chavez return to the field? How well have you been replacing Daniil Fomin?
— We're really looking forward to Luis and Bakhu. They're working on an individual program, and the medical team will determine the exact timing. Dania is a key figure, but we're preparing not just 11 players, but the entire team, and everyone must be ready to step up and help the team at any moment. That's normal.
