“I’m not up for the holidays”

Alan Dzagoev about the upcoming match against Sparta

Artyom Kalinin (Prague) Midfielder of CSKA and the Russian national team Alan Dzagoev in an exclusive interview with Gazeta.Ru summed up the results of the season, noting both positive and negative aspects. The footballer also shared his plans for the upcoming vacation, noting that the upcoming holidays are not of great importance to him.

— How do you assess the season ending today with the match against Sparta?
— The season turned out to be twofold. On the positive side, I established myself in the national team, played three matches in the first team, and scored my first goal for the national team. With CSKA he won silver medals in the national championship. On the other hand, in the second round I played very little for the club. Therefore, I consider the ending of the season unsuccessful.

- What does this have to do with?
“I just couldn’t stand the competition.” I missed the match when Doumbia and Tosic made their debut for CSKA, when Wagner returned - it was a game with Spartak. We won, and then the coach, of course, did not change anything. It was hard for me to return. Yes, I was a starter in a couple of matches, but that wasn’t enough. For me this is a big minus, but for the team it is a plus, because CSKA played very well in the second round.

— What needs to be done in the off-season to return to the main team?
“You just need to work harder.” I think we will need to start preparing early so that we can be in good shape for the first training camp. That's what I'm going to do.

Well, then it will be clear what and how - I will try to break through, to win a place in the base.

— Do you learn anything from the guys who joined the team in the summer, or are there no secrets in football for you?
- Yes, there are no secrets, of course. But I really like the way Doumbia works with the ball. I’m not talking about Wagner at all - it’s just an ideal (smiles). Well, Seydoux always knows in advance what to do, where to turn. He always makes the right decision, and due to his explosive speed he easily escapes one or two opponents.

- Everyone remembers Doumbia’s two super goals - against Palermo and Spartak. Can you play like that?
- Why not (smiles). I haven’t had such cases yet, but I don’t exclude that I will be able to score a similar goal.

— Leonid Slutsky recently spoke about the formations in which CSKA plays and about your position in these formations. Where is it most convenient for Alan Dzagoev to act?
— Of course, it’s most convenient for me to play under a striker or a couple of forwards. However, in the second case this leads to a weakening of the defensive line, since I do not have a good ball tackle. Maybe with age and experience this will come.

— What do you expect from the spring qualifying matches as part of the Russian national team?
— As for the national team, I’m only waiting for one thing: qualifying for the European Championship.

— In your opinion, did the criticism that fell upon it after the defeat from the Slovaks help the team win two away victories and return to first place in the group?
- Not in this case. The defeat from the Slovak team was an accident.

I think if we had scored first, at least three goals would have hit the visitors' goal. But we were unlucky in everything in that match.

— The Russian team has already played with all its opponents, except for the Armenian team. You know everyone now. Should there be no more problems with qualifying for the Euro?
“Of course, it won’t be easy for us, and we need to prepare with one hundred percent dedication.” Of course, it will be easier now, because we will now play at home against Ireland, which I consider a stronger opponent than the Slovak team. And with the Macedonians too. The most important thing will be the first match after the resumption of the qualifying tournament - the away match with Armenia. I've seen them work great at home. But if we win, it will be much easier to qualify for the Euros.

— The next Russian championship will be held in three rounds. In this regard, will additional efforts be required at the training camp, since you will have to play more and rest less.
- I don’t even know, to be honest. This is something new, and it is still difficult to say how to behave. I think we should approach everything more professionally and spend more time on recovery

— How do you feel about football in the snow? CSKA already played in Perm in such conditions, and the match in Prague, apparently, will be the same.
— Of course, winter football is not very encouraging. On the other hand, the management of CSKA has long sought the transition to the “autumn-spring” system.

This will probably benefit our football. However, playing on green grass in the summer is still more pleasant.

— In the summer there were rumors that it was possible to exchange Alan Dzagoev for the Brazilian Elano, who plays for Galatasaray. Did such an option really exist?
— No, there were no requests. I myself learned about this from your colleague when they called me and asked if I could move to Galatasaray. So these were just rumors.

— However, if you still have difficulty getting into the starting lineup of CSKA, are you ready to consider the option of finding a job at another club?
— It’s difficult for me to talk about this now. But I myself want to seek a place in the CSKA team.

— This is your second day in Prague. Did you manage to see something in the city?
- Unfortunately no. And, obviously, we won’t have time. Yesterday, when we were on the bus to the hotel, Evgeny Aldonin said that Prague is a very beautiful city, that there are many attractions here. But we need to prepare for the match and rest, and therefore we won’t be able to see the city this time.

— After the meeting with Sparta, the army team will go on vacation. Are you planning to travel to warm countries?
— I would like to go to Thailand, but it may not be possible. In general, from December 17 to 28, I wanted to rest, then go home, and then start training from the first of January.

- Right on the first day? What about New Year?
- Yes. What's wrong with that? All these celebrations... I have no time for holidays, I have completely different priorities.

More news can be found on the Europa League page .

“I have no time for the holidays” - Gazeta.Ru