Sandro Schwarz: We want to show our best qualities and earn three points against Nizhny Novgorod

– Sandro, what are your expectations from the upcoming match?

– Today we received good news – the number of spectators who will be allowed to attend the match against Nizhny Novgorod has increased. As for our opponent, they are a well-organized team. The Nizhny Novgorod players defend well and play different schemes. They use a large number of crosses into the penalty area. Therefore, we need to play closely to them. I am sure that we will be able to show our best qualities having such support in the stands.

– What can you say about Szymanski, Fomin and Zakharyan’s conditions? Arsen was substituted at halftime of the match against Malta. Is this substitution concerned with the health of the football player?

– Fomin was at the medical check immediately after coming back. His first training sessions were individual. Yesterday, Daniil trained with the group. As for Szymanski, he partially trained in the group and then worked out individually. At the moment, I can't say whether we will be able to count on him this Sunday. Zakharyan also partially trained with the group. Two days before he played a half for the national team. That’s why our coaching staff distributed the loads attentively. Today and tomorrow we have training days. We will make a decision about the guys' playing time later.

– Fabián Balbuena played tonight for the national team of Paraguay. When will he join the team? Do you count on him against Nizhny Novgorod?

– We recently corresponded with him, exchanged short SMS. As you know, Fabián played in the first and third games of his national team. He did not take part in the second match. Now it is difficult to say how ready he will be for the game against Nizhny Novgorod. We will also take into consideration the long flight. When he returns to Moscow, we will analyze his form.

– Nizhny Novgorod recently promoted to the Premier League. You haven't faced them yet. What are the distinctive features of this team? Are you ready that Nizhny Novgorod will defend deep in defense, or you count on a double-edged game?

– There is a clear coaching style in the game of Nizhny Novgorod. Yes, they are a newcomer in the Premier League. But since the start of the championship, the team played a number of high-quality matches. Nizhny Novgorod players perform deep in defense and use fast counterattacks when they have such an occasion. We need to be organized in defense. Their wingers look for free space between the lines. Their full-backs join the attack as well. They deliver the ball to the penalty area quickly enough. We have to block the opportunities for crossing. In general, we have analyzed the opponent's play, and we are ready for the upcoming encounter.

– What can you tell about the summer transfer campaign? Are the team ready for struggling for the highest spot?

– We had a fairly good summer transfer campaign. We are happy with the newcomers who have joined us. We must pay tribute to our sporting director and the scouts who worked closely in this direction. Before the transfer window closed, we monitored the market. At the same time, our philosophy is to improve the game quality and develop our players.

– Before the transfer window closed, the club announced Terekhov, Morozov and Kalachyov’s return, who failed to find new teams. Will they train with Dynamo-2, the youth team, the first team or individually?

– We had a sincere dialogue with these players. They will not train with the first team. Where will they train? This question should be better addressed to the club.

– Have Tyukavin and Zakharyan changed their attitude to the training process? Maybe they work with more enthusiasm now.

– Before the call-up and now the guys are training with full concentration. They work hard. I don't think their attitude has changed.

– Nizhny Novgorod impressed this season winning over Sochi and Spartak. What could Nizhny Novgorod show to overcome such strong opponents?

– We have analyzed the matches of Nizhny Novgorod in the season. At the moment, we understand the opponent's style of play. As I have already said, Nizhny Novgorod played high-quality fixtures against both Sochi and Spartak. They are very good at finding free space. Their strong point is the game in transitions. We have to show our best qualities and character to earn three points in this match.

– The head coach of the national team, Valery Karpin, did not call up Denis Makarov, explaining his decision that he had given the player the opportunity to work longer at Dynamo. Was it possible to work more thoroughly with Makarov both psychologically and tactically?

– We dedicated time to his individual development and further integration into the team. We held a lot of theories for Denis. The team played a friendly match against Khimki-M, when Makarov scored a goal.

– Sugar is now forbidden in the Russian national team. What is your attitude to the fact that some Dynamo players change their menu in the national team? Do you agree with the opinion of the head coach of the national team that sugar is harmful?

– Our medical staff, together with our chef, is closely involved in the issue of nutrition. This is an important question. I don't know what the situation is in the national team. Therefore, I cannot give a concrete answer, what is useful and what is not. In my opinion, before the game, a football player should have carbohydrates in his menu.

– During the international break Igor Leshchuk signed a new contract. Are you planning to give him a chance during the season?

– I am glad that Igor has extended the contract. He is a good goalkeeper, a very important player for us. We were once again convinced of his qualities when Igor defended the goal in the games against Lokomotiv and CSKA.

– This fall, the matches of the first team and Dynamo-2 do not coincide. What decision will you make on Galkin, Kutitsky, Gladyshev and Sazonov? Will they play for Dynamo-2 today or they will train with the first team?

– I would not like to interfere in the Dynamo-2 preparation. There is a head coach in the second team who makes a decision on the starting line-up. We are constantly exchanging information with both the Academy and Dynamo-2. From week to week, we make different decisions depending on which players can strengthen Dynamo-2, and who will come on as a substitute in the match for the first team.

– Do you know that Alexander Kerzhakov played for Dynamo? Will it be an additional motivation for Nizhny Novgorod?

– I don't know Alexander personally. As I saw in the matches of Nizhny Novgorod, Kerzhakov gave the impression of a nice person. When we will face each other on Sunday, each coach will have his own goal. Alexander will certainly try to tip the scales in his favor. We are going to bend our line and strive for victory.

– How was the idea to put the song Bella Ciao in the dressing room born?

– This story dates back to the Austrian training camps. The team that lost in the training match had to perform a song. Balbuena, Laxalt, Zakharyan and Tyukavin chose the Bella Ciao. Since then, we have been singing it. It was interesting to see how two players who do not speak English and guys who do not speak Russian were able to sing a song as a quartet.

– What impressions did you get after visiting the beach soccer World Cup in Moscow?

– I would like to congratulate the Russian national team and wish them further success. I was surprised by the technical skills of the Russian players. This was my first experience when I watched the beach soccer World Cup final live. I had fun and was in the good mood. The Russian national team absolutely deserved to win this tournament.

– Do you know that the head coach of the Russian national beach soccer national team Mikhail Likhachyov is a big Dynamo fan? Would you like to invite him to the Sunday match? Maybe his energy will help the team?

– It's a good idea, actually. I didn't know that he is a fan of Dynamo. I hope I will have the opportunity to meet him personally in the near future.

– Now the Legends’ Cup takes place in Moscow, where the German national team are playing. Do you have plans to meet any of the German football players?

– To be honest, I have already been invited to visit the German national team. I just don't know if I have time for this (smiles).