'We Want To Make Amends For Loss'

After today's practice under a warm March sun, the Lokomotiv players shared their expectations of the away game against Mordovia.

Alexander Sheshukov who had been doing a lot of drudgery in the last games was reliable today. The midfielder stresses that the team has to win every game to make amends before the fans.

- We've been working as usual, although the mood is so-so after the loss. We really want to restore our reputation after that sudden stumble. It was a blow, we had a clear chance to get as high as 3rd or 4th line in the table and improve further. It's always easier when you have some insurance. Now we have to take every game as our last game. We need to win match after match, it's important for our ranking, and psychologically. We're going to claim a victory in Saransk.

– Several Lokomotiv defenders are booked. Will you be able to fill in for them, if necessary?

– I feel okay playing a central defender. I had to assume that role several times last year before the winter break. I'm not new to this position. In the last games I've been playing a defensive midfielder but be there a necessity, I'll play where the coach tells me to. By the way, we also have Taras Mykhalyk, so we'll make it. There're many players who can fill in for each other, and such rivalry makes us stronger, everybody trains really hard to show themselves.

Defender Nemanja Pejcinovic picked up an injury in a cup game against Rubin but he's about to recover. The Serb was watching his partners practicing, and was in good mood.

- I cannot help them now but I'm right beside them. My recovery will take about two more weeks and I count to be back by the derby against Dinamo.

Brazilian striker Marques Maicon scored several amazing goals at the practice. In a short interview with the Press Service he said that the team have analyzed their miscalculations and are ready to get back in the title race.

- We've been training really hard all week and are willing to demonstrate our best in Saransk. We have to win and claim three points. We particularly practice combination play and strikes. The coaches scrutinized the game to see where we failed - we have to be faster, use a more aggressive pressing, and hoover up the rebounds. We'll try to show our best skills in Saransk.

Mordovia are hosting the Railwaymen on March 22nd, the kickoff scheduled at 16:00 Moscow time. The official website will provide live text commentaries. You can also follow the game events on our Twitter.