With Semak "Zenith" will take what is expected of him. Luis Netu – on the return of Turkey and World Cup-2018 – Premier League News – Football

– It's always nice to return to the team you love, – confesses the Portuguese

– While you were gone, the Zenit was headed by Sergei Semak, with whom you played together

– I remember that when I moved to Zenit, Semak noticed it immediately. Personality with a fantastic mindset both on the field and on the outside! He is respected by all – the players, all the staff of the club, the fans. The presence of Semak means a lot to us. He has always worked one hundred percent. And even when he finished his career and started helping André Villash-Boasha, and then Mircea Lucescu, we felt his energy.

Last year at "Ufa" Semak did a great job. Now he is transferring his ideas to Zenit. Now we are not only strong players, but strong players with a very strong team spirit.

– But Ufa is the only club that he has coached. Semak is ready for "Zenith"?

– Percentage loan. He had a lot of time, he followed it to the point: he was first a player, then a second coach. Semak has constantly studied. And when he had the opportunity to work independently in Ufa, he showed what is worth it. He built a beautiful team, against which it was not easy to play. Now, with players of a different level, he will be able to reach new heights. To arrive at what we expect from "Zenith".

– What is the first gathering in Semak? Is it difficult?

– Everything is fine except that it is constantly raining. Slowly, we type the form. All are fighting for a place in the composition, for the right to stay in Zenit. We work hard. Order: train, eat, train, sleep. The middle mountain? The first days were not easy, but they are used to it. Now I feel good, like everyone else in the team. But now we have to plow. When we return to St. Petersburg, it will be easier.

– Last summer, you left Zenit on the last day of the transfer window. The chance to start playing under Mancini was not?

– No, why? I played in six-seven matches. But after my return from the Confederations Cup, I felt that the atmosphere had changed. The players with whom I had a good relationship left the team. There were new players, new coaches. I tried to adapt, but I still felt uncomfortable.

When the variant with "Fenerbahce" appeared, I seriously thought about it. My family and I decided to change the situation. Yes, and I hoped that the match in another team would allow me to enter the Portuguese national team at the World Cup. Although Zenit has not been eager to let me go.

– In other words, going to Fenerbahce is your initiative?

– Yes, that's my decision. But I repeat, there was no such thing as I did not want to play for Zenit. I like the club and I want to play in St. Petersburg. But there was some discomfort. So the rent was a good decision

– A few years ago you called Olympiakos, but you did not let Zenit go.

– I have no regrets about it. In 2012, my wife and I made the right decision by accepting Zenit's offer. This step was not easy: we then lived in Italy, we loved everything, when suddenly an offer came from St. Petersburg. As a result, "Zenith" gave me a lot, and I saw that St. Petersburg – just a fantastic city. Here my son was born, the club had a beautiful stadium. I will do my best to spend the next season at Zenit and enjoy it.

– Do you think it's the last year at Zenit?

– Of course, I'm sure of nothing. Just the fact – next summer, I will have a contract. Let's see how things will evolve. Right now I love everything. And it's too early to guess.

– How did you spend your year in Turkey?

– I had a fantastic experience. As I said, I wanted a change: a new team, a new league, a new culture. My family also loved Istanbul. My son went to school there. Professionally, I have also developed well. I started at first, but then a little unlucky. We did not give the best cut in terms of results. In one of the matches, I got the fourth yellow card. The next match of the team won, and then released a series of five wins in a row. The return to composition was difficult. Then I had an ankle injury, which left me without football for a month and a half. But in fact, before that, I have never been hurt! In total, I had 17-18 games for the season. Of course, I would like to play more. But I do not regret anything. This year was not wasted

– Is the atmosphere in the stadiums in Turkey steep?

– My first match was against "Bashakshehir". And I just obadlel! The stadium is packed, everyone is sick, they are pushing the team forward. In Turkey, in general, everyone lives with football. Very different from Russia. In fact, it is one of the reasons why I chose Turkey. In all matches, the stadiums are full, even for small teams, there are a lot of fans. In Russia, as a rule, this could only be seen during the "Zenith" – "Spartacus" matches. Although I heard that the new arena "Zenith" last season broke all records of participation – it's doubly cool, I want to fully engage in the game in this atmosphere.

– How are things with Juliano?

– Oh, he's fine! Although he's also not played since the beginning of the season. Fenerbahce had a black series, the team lost to Vardar in the European League. And only after Juliano and I arrived. A little time was removed by adaptation. But then he began to go regularly on the field at the position of the "dozens", began to score, give. He is a fantastic player.

– In "Fenerbahce" you played with Roman Neustadter.

– I have an excellent relationship with Roman. In general, defenders in the "Fenerbahce" are friendly. We have constantly communicated. Often joke about the theme of Russia with Roman, Juliano and Martin Skrtel.

– Were you surprised that Neustadter was not taken to the World Cup?

– He really wanted to play! And I was certainly surprised. Roman had a good season. And you Jikia and Vasin were injured. Even though the national team played in three central defenders, I think Roman would not be superfluous precisely.

– And you missed the World Cup? Or did not you already expect?

– Why? I went there for two years! But in the last two or three months before the tournament, my business in Turkey was not the best, as I said. This influenced the final decision of the coaching staff. So, I do not feel unfairly treated. I understand everything perfectly. But I'm ready to spend a fantastic season with Zenit to return to the national team.

– Portugal did not shine at the World Championships.

– And we never really play too much Even if you look at the Euro-2016, there was no brilliant game. In the end, with Uruguay, we played well. But everyone decided to hit Cavani. Portugal tried to reverse the match, but the Uruguayan defense was on top. I could not get through this wall! We could have reached the quarter-finals, but what about now? All willing to one hundred percent. But it turned out that it turned out.

– At this World Cup shot outsiders. Do you have an explanation, why?

– It's hard enough to think of something new in football – everything was invented before us. Everyone decides the talent and the organization of the game. Therefore, the difference between teams of different levels of players is not so great. The stars in the composition – now this is not enough, it is no longer a guarantee of success. Everyone flees, all give one hundred and two hundred percent. Thus, the division in favorites and outsiders has become conditional. Look at this world championship – everyone can win from everyone.

– The Russian national team, for example, almost entered the semi-finals

– I doubted to leave the group first. In your house it was not the strongest. Moreover, it is always easier to play such tournaments. The stands give an advantage: the stands are full, they advance the team.

I was surprised by the match against Spain. But I was very happy! Not only for Russia, but also for Zenit guys, whom I know personally.

– The Spaniards were unhappy that Russia played the whole game.

– Well, how to play against Spain? It seems that your coach has said that you can beat the Spaniards only. And it was his plan, which worked! "Atletico" has won several titles, playing compact and defense. So there is nothing shameful about it. The main thing is that in the end there was a victory. If you played brilliant offensive football, but did not go to Spain, I would certainly not be happy.

– Blitz: Quaresma or Di Maria?

– "St. Petersburg" or "Sukru Saragiolu"?

– Can I skip this question? Both stages are fantastic!

– Field judge or VAR?

– What is worse – counterattack or counter-attack?

– "Chicago Bulls" or "Los Angeles Lakers"?

– When you shout to the judges of the Premier League, which language do you use?

– Ha! In general, I try to speak in Portuguese. But that's so I am very dissatisfied with the judge. If I want him to understand me, of course, I use Russian.

– If you could change a rule in football, what would you choose?

– I would like all those minutes that are one of the teams used to delay the time, possibly added to the game. If you delay 12 minutes, play an additional 12 minutes. And then it starts: replacements, long rallies, falls …

And then the judge adds only three minutes! For me, it is unacceptable. I do not like it when the time is lost

– Final of the Europa League: in the 85th minute, the Zenit lead 1-0 to United. You will not waste time?

– It all depends on the situation. My idea is to change the mentality of the players. The time that is provided for the game, players must use for the game, and not for delays, falls and other things. You have 90 minutes. You can not score the ball and wait for the whistle the rest of the time.

Vladimir Kolos