Dynamo Head Coach answered journalists' questions after the Russian Cup encounter against Nizhny Novgorod (3:0).
— I would like to give credit to my players for their professional attitude shown on the pitch. I think today's victory is absolutely deserved.
— Why did you decide to field the main starting lineup, despite the upcoming derby against Spartak?
— There is still a lot of time until Sunday. Now we are living from day to day. So it is important how each succeeding day will go on.
— Fedor Smolov adapted very quickly to the Dynamo football. Were you sure of him from the very beginning?
— Fedor blended into our team very quickly. I am glad that he is one of us.
— What can you say about Igor Leshchuk's play? Why was he the first choice at goal today?
— Anton Shunin got ill a little – he has minor problems with the digestive tract. I think he's out for a while. But in any case, we initially decided that Igor Leshchuk would play in the Cup match.
— Until the end of the first half, Dynamo could not open the score. Did this situation bother you?
— It is difficult to break down the defense of such a disciplined and organized team like Nizhny Novgorod. Our team shined in the match against a serious opponent.
— Ivan Ordets was not in the team list. Where is he now?
— Everyone knows the current situation. We support Ivan, we are the whole unit, and he is part of our team. We are in close contact with him. Ivan is an extraordinary man with a big heart. What's happening now is heartache. It's hard to say when he will be back on the pitch. I fully understand and support him. It is very important that Ivan can continue playing football. This is what he loves, his business and the meaning of his life.