Alexander Samedov: I dream of playing for Lokomotiv in the Champions League

Alexander Samedov joined #OurCherkizovoLIVE to share his thoughts on the match against Amkar, Lokomotiv’s tight schedule, as well as to tell us about recuperation and the Champions League.

- I don’t think my performance is influenced by the fact I didn’t get the call-up to the national team. I trained a lot, I applied and conditioned myself.

- How do you manage to be so quick on rebounds? Is it the practical experience?

-Experience matters. I have an eye for the situation because I am older and wiser. I am glad I can do it - it helps my side to score more.

- Do you recall that match back in 2005 when Lokomotiv were losing 0:3 to Amkar, yet carried the day 4:3 against the run of play? You were in it…

- It is the match I remember very well – when you do it on sheer commitment the victory and the amount of goals will stick in your memory for ever. We were fighting for the title and turned the course of the game after the break scoring the winner on second minute of injury time…

- How do you feel about the ups and downs in the fans’ devotion? You have been blamed a lot, now they stand by your side.

- I keep calm. Times used to be hard for me but even then I always tried to contribute with something. Now everything’s OK. Fans praise me. I will help Lokomotiv in any case – will do my utmost. Achievements are the whole team’s effort. We have a great team. I should thank our fans for their warm words. We will try to reciprocate on the pitch. Thanks for the support.

- Last season with the same squad and selections your collective effort sometimes failed you – why?

- That season wasn’t the best one for us, true, but we still won the Russian Cup. We have some very good people on the squad. The coaches realize that and find the right words. I know that we will always be there for each other. Even when criticized, the team-mates had trust in one another and we still do.

- Your club has an exhausting schedule. You played 7 matches in 23 days. How did you cope with the work-load?

- The most important thing is to rest well. Following a game you should go home and get a decent sleep. The body needs sleep and stretching. It is essential to stick to what the physicians tell you. You cannot do without it. Our medical staff does the best job.

- Lokomotiv have secured the second place in the tournament table. It’s too early to predict, yet it allows you to qualify for the Champions League. Do you dream of taking part in the top-flight European competition again?

- Playing for Lokomotiv in the Champions League is my darling dream. I would love to see the League back in Cherkizovo! I hope we can do it. But I have never won the title in the Russian championship. I really wish we come top of the Premier League. I believe our side is strong enough to challenge Zenit and the Armymen as well as the other competitors for the first place. And the Champions League… It’s there somewhere!

- Let’s hope. When do you think CSKA may fail? You probably watch them very closely…

- I’d rather we didn’t mess things up ourselves along the way. You have to mind your own job and save points. CSKA may find themselves in the doldrums at a time. One should be ready to take advantage. Now it’s most important to rest and recuperate - and hope that the national team’s members come back without injuries.