Dmitry Kruglov: "They could not stand the pressure"
- For you, it all started pretty well ... 0-0 after the first half.
- Yes. We could have won. It was necessary to use those two moments in the first half, in the first thirty minutes. Especially the one when Anyukov was mistaken. And we could better implement standard provisions. They could have, after all. In general, in the first thirty minutes we acted well. And then it wasn’t enough.
- And what was missing? Mastery or physical condition?
“I don't even know what happened.” This is probably a psychological moment. The Russian team continued to push. And we, being under constant pressure, floated a little. And they could not impose their football. It was required to play a pass: over the edges, through long casts. I believe that ahead we had to try to cling to the ball. But this has not been done.
- Guus Hiddink during the break told his guys so that they would not slow down. What did your coach say between halves?
- That we must believe in our strength. And we, judging by how everything went, could not only achieve a draw, but also win.
- In Russia, the national team was “pumped up with politics.” Was it important for you to win a match against such an opponent?
- All this is nonsense. Absolute. It’s up to athletes to play on the football field, rather than get into politics. And do not bother yourself with football nonsense.
- Is the Russian team able to reach the final of the European championship?
- It all depends on the players. You need to understand how this team will be able to act against rivals at the level of England and Croatia. You can also not lose points when playing with other teams in our group.
- Estonia today did not score the Russian national team for the first time in its field. This is probably the most offensive.
- That's for sure.
Andres Oper: "Russians are all small"
- Your score for the match?
- Hard to say…. What do you call a number or what?
- Or what.
- The Russians were stronger. They played good matching football. I think that we ourselves are to blame for the defeat. Gave to the opponent ...
- The initiative?
- Yes. Allowed them to easily play with the ball.
- In 2002, you scored the Russian team. Did you remember that today?
- No no no. This is another game, but what was there five years ago ... who will remember?
- How do you like the Russian team?
“They are all small.” And we could impose our football on them. But the opponent is very well equipped technically. We let them play, and that was the main mistake.
Alexey Shevchenko, Tallinn