Syomin: We will use the break to cure the wounds

Lokomotiv head coach Yuriy Syomin speaks to a press-conference after the victory over Arsenal (2:1) in Gameweek 12 of the Russian Championship.

- We are leaving for the break in a good mood. Now we have to cure the wounds that we have  plenty. We need to treat some players, let others rest, and  then move on. As for the game, it was a difficult one. We haven’t had a single easy game with Arsenal so far. This fixture was  no exception.

- What’s with Smolov and Hoewedes?

- Micro injuries. We decided not to take a  risk and substituted them to avoid aggravation.

- Why didn’t you field Kverkvelia instead of Hoewedes?

- He needs some more time. He  needs practice. I hope he’s going to cap for the Georgia team. He has played only in the  Cup game so far. He has got rid of the  injury, but has to return to the last-year condition.

- Will Smolov help the national team?

- I have no answer to this. The people in the national team will see if he can play.

- Did you think to substitute Smolov for Djordjevic today?

- We wouldn’t have fitted the limit. We had to substitute Smolov for a Russian player.

- Miranchuk made an appearance and scored a penalty. Did you appoint the kick-taker before the game?  

- No, because we didn’t know if Miranchuk would play or  not. We did not have a plan to field him, however, there was an extraordinary situation. Alexey is our penalty-taker. He took the ball and scored. Well done!

- How would you rate his play?

- He  set up the second goal. Of course, there’s still a lot to do to regain those conditions he had prior to the injury. But during those 30 minutes he had he played well.