Felipe Caicedo: “Moscow’s unlike any other city and I love it”

In the interview with “Our Loko” magazine the Ecuadorian international says how it feels to play a winger and rejoices the spring’s finally here.

I now have six warm coats hanging in my wardrobe

– In your first interviews upon arriving in Russia you said you weren’t afraid of the Russian winter because, as you said, you had played in Switzerland which has similar climate. Have you changed your mind in the last few months?

- (Laughs) Now I understand how foolishly I sounded back then. In Switzerland winters are snowy too, but of course they cannot boast such frosts as here, and the spring comes in March, not in mid-April. So, when I was asked about Russian climate I simply didn’t understand what I was talking about.

- But now you can relax – it’s finally spring in Moscow!

- I’ve been anticipating it! I can tell you I smile more often these days. Simple things now make me happy! For example, I can arrive to the training session wearing just slippers and shorts. Although you shouldn’t think I’ve been suffering without it. It was so interesting to find myself in these new conditions and it’s a completely new experience for me. And the next winter – I know – will be much easier for me to endure. Now I know what it is.

- I guess your wardrobe has increased lately?

- You bet! I’ve never had really warm clothes before, and now there’re six warm coats hanging in my wardrobe – that’s to name a few.

- What’s the minimal winter temperature in your home city of Guayaquil?

- About +20 centigrade. Of course we don’t have snow – just rains. And right after winter comes summer with the temperature about +40 Celcius.

I couldn’t even think Moscow’s such a hip place!

– Forget the weather - have you adjusted to the city already?

– Well, I’ve reconciled with the weather too. As for the rest, no problem about it at all! My apartment is where almost all other foreign players of Lokomotiv live. So I’m never alone, I can always go and visit someone. Besides I try to spend more time in the city centre. To be honest with you – I couldn’t even think Moscow’s such a hip place!

- What do you mean?

- I mean the atmosphere, people, rhythm of life. Moscow’s unlike any other city I’ve been to, and I like it a lot.

- Another Ecuadorian international Christian Noboa is residing in Moscow now.

- I was so glad when I heard the news Christian’s joining Dynamo Moscow! We try to meet every week. On Tuesday, for example, we dined at my house. He likes Moscow too, but he’s totally at home in Russia – he’s been playing here for five years and he’s got a Russian wife.

- How many Ecuadorians live in Moscow?

- I don’t know exactly, but I think no more than twenty. Many of them come to the stadium to support me. For example, the Ecuadorian ambassador to Russia and some of the embassy staff came to see Lokomotiv playing against Zenit.

- Do the fans in Ecuador have a chance to see you playing here?

- Yes, television channels in Ecuador show all matches of Lokomotiv and Dynamo.

- How’re things with the national team?

- I’ve missed the last games. I asked the coach to handle it without me because the flight from Moscow to Quito takes a lot of time and leaves you worn out. The coaches understand this and so decided to keep me for a while. But those were friendlies. In June we’re playing two World Cup-2014 Qualifiers and forget about rest here. On June 3 we’re playing against Argentina, on June 10 against Columbia. As of now, Ecuador’s on the fourth place which is a shortcut to the World Cup. I hope we’ll remain there and go to Brazil. For the first time in many years the World Cup will be played on our continent!

I just want to play

- This year you mainly take the position of the right winger. As far as I know, you have played on this position before?

- Yes, when I played for FC Bazel the coaches used to install me on the right flank too. I just want to play. Of course I feel more comfortable in the centre. But I feel okay on the right flank too, and I try to be useful for the team there.

- Last winter you’ve got a new fellow forward – Roman Pavlyuchenko. How well do you understand each other on the field?

- It’s always easy to play with a top-class teammate. Pavlyuchenko’s one of the best forwards in Russia, he’s a great master and a smart player. It’s great he’s playing for Lokomotiv now!