The former FC Spartak Moscow coach Stanislav Cherchesov spoke to Rusfootball.info correspondent Victoria Yakovleva about upcoming derby FC Spartak Moscow vs CSKA.
- Do you think Valery Karpin’s team will recover from the recent defeat against Legia which voided Spartak’s European hopes and get back in focus for the game against CSKA?
- It is a pity that Spartak did not qualify to the Europe League. But Europe League and Russian Premier League are two different competitions and the Red-and-Whites will have to solve totally different tasks in game against CSKA. The defeat against Legia is now a long forgotten story which absolutely does not matter before the game against CSKA. And then, the team has to rehabilitate itself before fans for not qualifying into Eurocups and game against CSKA is a perfect chance.
- CSKA is celebrating its 100th anniversary these days and will likely make every effort to bring the joy of spectacular play and positive results to fans…
- My congratulations to CSKA. 100 years is a very serious anniversary which speaks of the club’s rich history. But the game does not have much to do with anniversary celebrations. It is on the field where the strongest is determined.
- How would you estimate the chances of both teams before the game?
- Both teams perform fine attacks. Both Spartak and CSKA have goal-oriented players who can score any time and help their team dominate. When it comes to such important games, both team play and individual skills are crucial. And I therefore find it hard telling who will win. What is the most important about this game is the opportunity to watch a fine and spectacular game irrespective of the results.
- How do you like Spartak newcomers – Demy de Zeeuw and Emmanuel Emenike?
- They are not impressive and you can’t tell that they contribute much to the team play. But it is understandable that getting started is not always easy. We therefore need to let de Zeeuw and Emenike have more time.
- What would be your forecast for the game?
-Spartak will win 2-1.
- After Spartak was beaten by Legia many concluded that Valery Karpin should resign as Spartak coach. I can remember that you were in a similar situation after 1-5 defeat against CSKA in the Russian Premier League and 1:4 defeat against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League play-off. What do you think Karpin feels now?
- I was not in the same situation as Karpin, because the team still appeared in the UEFA Cup that season. And I would not like to get involved into discussions on who shall do what in different situations. Getting into this would not be quite ethical of me.
