Dynamo head coach Marcel Licka answered journalists' questions after the final match of the year with Khimki (4:1).
— I was pleased with the victory and the fact that the team scored four goals. We created the intrigue ourselves when the score became 2:1. But I believed that we would achieve victory, and I am glad that we managed to score twice more. The first half was divided into two halves: we played well for the first 20 minutes, created chances, but after scoring a goal we made several losses and began to lose confidence a little bit, allowing the opponent to earn several standards. During the break, I stressed that you need to play one or two touches from behind, turn the game around faster and transfer the ball to the opponent's half.
— What do the emotions of the team depend on? Why weren't there any in Grozny, but today on the contrary?
— There is no direct road to success. There are difficult situations on it. We conceded against Fakel in added time and drew, although we worked well there in terms of aggressiveness, only the implementation was not enough. Then there was a tough game with Lokomotiv, which we played very well. I thought she was supposed to give an emotional charge to the team. But in Grozny, the players who came out from the first minutes seemed to be squeezed out like a lemon. If I had known in advance that this would happen, I would have reacted to it in advance. At the same time, the competitors lost points, and this should have been an additional motivation for the players.
For example, I just found out this morning that Zenit lost to Akron. You win and get closer to the leader – what else should be the motivation? You have to go out on the field and do your best. But these things need to be repeated so that the players do not calm down.
— You made late substitutions again. What is the reason for this?
— And who would you have replaced earlier?
— For example, Gladyshev.
— After Gladyshev conceded a goal, there were three moments, but if I had changed it, they might not have been. Yes, he failed to score, but with his movement he created big problems for Khimki. He lacked luck today from the very beginning, when he hit the bar. Why was he changed in the 60th minute if he played well? Yes, he should have realized at least one moment, but in general he played well and worked well in defense.
You scolded Bales that he does not score, and today he made a double. I don't think there were late replacements today. 15-20 minutes for Moumi and Arthur was enough for them to be noted for effective actions. We didn't have any big problems in the game. We ourselves gave the ball to the opponent when he reduced the gap in the score.
— Dynamo has shown that it is not looking for easy ways. In simple situations, your players did not score, but differed in more complex ones. Did the field, nerves or something else have an effect?
— Yes, the pitch was fast and slippery, so it wasn't always easy to make the first touch. We are already used to creating intrigue when we are counting. I am glad that we reacted correctly to the missed ball. Gladyshev lacked luck at some points, which then came to Tyukavin in the episode with the third goal. Here is the fourth – this is Arthur's skill. That's what I require him to beat one-on-one at speed. He won the fight and gave it to Grulev, who is well-versed in the penalty area.
When strikers score, it gives them more confidence. Bales now has 7 heads, and he will be able to relax on vacation. Because he was also nervous until he scored. You would have thought that after last season everything would automatically go for him in this one, but that doesn't happen in football. I am glad for him that he was able to distinguish himself twice today.
— The first part of the championship has ended. The team is in fourth place, in the Cup they reached the semi-finals of the RPL. How do you evaluate this segment?
— You can say the first half of this season is over. Now there is a long pause. I am sure that we have made a step forward in many things. It is clear that Zenit, Krasnodar, Spartak and Lokomotiv are also progressing and have scored a lot of points. I am dissatisfied with the fact that we beat only Lokomotiv from them – this is not enough. If we want to fight for the championship, we need to beat these teams.
— In what positions do you need reinforcement?
— I would like to strengthen the defensive line so that there is the same competition as in attack. Today Ngamaleu, Artur and Chavez were on the bench, who strengthened the team with their output. I would also like to mention our young players who were in reserve today: Dima Alexandrov, Vitya Okishor and Egor Smelov – I really like them. I would like to give them more game practice.
— The number of injuries has increased this season. Do you have an explanation for this?
"You're wrong. A year ago at this time we had more injuries than now. Yes, someone falls out for 2-3 days, but in general we do not have such a problem.
— There was talk around Bitello. What do you think about this situation?
— I know that there is interest from different clubs and not only in Bitello. As a coach, I would love to shut them all down and not let them go anywhere. On the other hand, if there is a good offer from Europe, for example, as it was with Zakharyan, then I would not like to slow down the player's career and keep him by force. If he wants to stay, it will be a plus for the team. If he leaves, the club will get good money that can be invested in other transfers. I think that Bitello will not rush anywhere.
