Yuriy Syomin: If you play with soul, it will sell out stadiums

Lokomotiv’s head coach Yuriy Syomin summarized the 2:1 win over Krasnodar FC in the Russian Premier League’s Gameweek 5, shared the feelings about his return, and defined the kind of football the Railwaymen should play.

- Taking three points is what matters most, since our recent League position had not been so great. It was a close and tense game. We asked the lads to put in challenges and play tight passing. There are many skilful technical footballers at Krasnodar. Keep them at bay, and they have little recourse against you. The team followed all the advice we offered them. There was a spell when we seemed to be on the losing end, yet we regained our strength and found the grit. In my mind, it was a fair victory. Besides, the team had chances on breaks.

- What was lacking in Lokomotiv’s play?

- Possession on the ball – it has to improve. And we need to exercise more caution inside our own box. We gave away such a soft penalty.

- Did you discuss this side’s options with Pashinin?

- Just yesterday we talked. I wish him to leave hospital as soon as possible and return to work. We had an understanding. I also drew from my own experience.

- Henty was handed a starting role. What do you make of Ezekiel’s performance? Could you picture him deployed alongside Skuletic?

- Henty looked very impressive tonight. He posed a constant threat to the fullbacks, he was pressing them. Yes, it is actually possible to imagine Henty and Skuletic along each other for a stretch – the two could be a super-striking force.

- You made changes to the front line compared with the previous encounter. Why there?

- The last match provided the information. Neither I, nor Pashinin were pleased with how a few particular footballers did. And Krasnodar are not some average outfit – they are a top side. We had to adjust the game plan.

- What about Kolomeytsev replacing Maicon: why did you choose to bring on an inside midfielder omitting the winger?

- That was my idea and vision. We wanted a narrow player rather than a wide man. Kolomeytsev can fill this position. And Maicon needs rest – he is still not fit for 90 minutes.

- The coach from Krasnodar lashed out at referees. Do you need this sort of assistance from match-officiating crews?

- And I thought Krasnodar were favoured. We earned those three points ourselves.

- What happened with Denisov? He constantly picked up quarrel with opponents, and made rough sliding tackles.

- He did what he had to with sliding tackles. That’s the kind of football we should adopt - there is no other way to play it.

- Taking charge of Lokomotiv again, how do you see the team’s current situation? And what prospects do they have?

- Lokomotiv have always had decent prospects. We build on tradition, and we have the Russian Railways to fall back upon. The squad must realize this, and work, and bring home trophies. If you play with soul, it will sell out stadiums.

- Did it feel nice to come to Kransodar, of all places, for the comeback game?

- I am not a stranger in Krasnodar. I have many friends living here. A part of my life passed in this city. I remember how we made it to the top flight. What a good team we had - Kuban. Tickets at the price of ten roubles - and people were queueing to buy them. And always a full house.