Nikolay Kipiani: I am a homegrown guy but I sometimes lose temper

Lokomotiv’s youth team forward Nikolay Kipiani tells about how at the very last moment he was denied the chance to play at Euro-2015, about the responsibility on the pitch and his love towards Moscow.

- Let’s start with the topic that you may dislike. You had been called up to our youth national team who are now at Euro-2015 but eventually didn’t get shortlisted. Why?

- I was unlucky. I trained in a usual mode but sometimes my back didn’t allow me to play to the maximum. A day before the flight the doctors advised me to order special insoles but I simply didn’t have time. Now I’m attending the massage therapy courses and completing the cure of my back. Gradually the coaches are giving me more playing time. It looks like I’m okay (Kipiani played a half in each of the Lokomotiv vs Volga and vs Kolomna games - author’s note).

- Are you following the guys in Greece?

- Sure! During the training camp in Bakovka we gathered around a big screen, felt like at the stadium! It’s a shame we lost the first game against the Netherlands. We had great chances but instead conceded a very unnecessary goal from a set piece. But then the guys made amend against Spain! Showed character and scored three times! Dima Barinov smashed in a beautiful one! Now we have to beat Germany to get to the Quarterfinals.

- When you were watching the games, did you think ‘I could have been there and do it differently!’?

- It’s always like this. When you watch the games of the main team and other clubs you think that in this or that episode you’d pass here, or go for it yourself there… But that’s a view from the outside. When you’re inside, on the pitch, it all appears in a different way.

- The vacation was short. Did you manage to take a proper rest?

- Vacation? I don’t even remember how it looked like… I had six or seven free days, played against England for the U18s and then took a plane home. But soon again I had to turn up at the club’s base. A tight schedule.

- Judging from your Instagram account, you’ve been to Georgia. How long were you absent?

- About three years. Haven’t seen my relatives in a while and grew to miss them. Despite very little time I spent there I met many relatives and friends. Yes, time was short, but still better than nothing.

- Tell us a secret, what city did you go to?

- Tbilisi.

- What’s there in the Georgian capital that Moscow lacks?

- Nothing but the relatives. I can’t stay there for more than two weeks. It’s too quiet. Moscow offers entertainment, hangouts… I feel comfortable here.

- Some more football. Do you understand you’re one of the most experienced players of the youth team?

- Well, yes… There’s also Rifat (Zhemaletdinov - autor’s note), Anisimov, Solovyov… We joined the team at one time. We feel that we bear the responsibility now. The 18-year olds are very talented but anyway we have to help them, guide them. I can’t say for sure but I think that only we feature such young players. Some clubs even have 15- or 16-year olds and they win. Our youngsters have everything too - but experience. But they look solid.

- What’s your estimation of the friendlies? Are you worried about the stats?

- I took part only in the two last games. But all I can say is that it’s a training camp. Our goals are totally different. We have to work on mutual understanding and combination. It would be nice to win all four games but that was not what we were there for. We simply had to see how ready we were for the season and make the necessary amendments.

- It struck me just how much attention they pay to the tactics.

- We are constantly analyzing our games. It’s a chance to see where we made mistakes or underworked. In many episodes such mistakes led to the goals. But speaking about our physical strength, I think we’re fit.

- Another unpleasant question to you - what’s with finishing?

- I don’t know. The ball doesn’t go into the net. We try and create good chances. I think it will be okay in the championship. We kept the goals for the official games! (laughs)

- Judging from the two friendlies you took part in, it was clear the team often play through you, rapidly starting to deliver the ball upfield through the left wing.

- I like to act individually, to press… Probably I looked fresher since I didn’t play full time. Why not attempt to score from a set piece, or try to dribble?

- Are the Kipiani on the field and the Kipiani in everyday life two different people? Name three qualities that you have both on and off the pitch.

- I’m not sure about everyday life… In play it must be speed and dribbling… I don’t know. What do you think?

- I’d notice your pushiness and an ability to ‘explode’ play.

- Maybe. You have an advantage of looking from the outside.

- Are you as ‘explosive’ in everyday life?

- I can’t say I’m too impulsive. There are times I can lose temper act on impulse rather than thought. Georgian blood, you know. But actually I’m a quiet homegrown guy.

- When are we going to claim another title, like in 2011 when you won the championship among the guys of your age?

- The season is about to start, and we have to fight. It’s high time to win! We started the previous season well but then the players started getting called up to the national teams. We played together very little. We sure have to be among the top three teams, but we also have to try to claim the title.

- What are your personal goals? Do you want to get closer to the main squad?

- (Sighs) Of course… It’s time… But it’s up to the coaches to decide. I will do my best - train and play to the maximum to get spotted and invited.