- Sergey, it seems that this series is very difficult for the Kazan club. Do you agree?
- You know, any series of playoffs are not easy. CSKA are a good team with a very good roster. CSKA did not accidentally reach the semifinals. And thereby, I think, have fully completed the task for the season. But they brought us a lot of trouble, played confidently. We just surpass this team in mastery. And they deservedly won.
- Why did you play so weakly at a party - both with Khimik and CSKA? Opponents were significantly weaker. But you delayed the series twice. Is this an underestimation on your part, or did your opponents jump above your head?
- For the champion, you must agree, everyone is especially tuned. They act with full dedication, check their level against the background of the best club in the country. But we also try to do our job efficiently.
- Vitaly Proshkin said that the army team won the third match because they caught courage. Did you feel this in the fourth game? Which game was the hardest?
- I repeat: CSKA is a very serious rival. It was really hard to play with this team. Moreover, with such support from the stands. Yesterday was a complete palace, today. It gives additional strength, emotions. So the army team and ran. So that It was hard in Moscow, but we got our way.
- What did you change in tactics before the fourth game?
- Slightly simplified the game in defense. And they won due to team actions, greater dedication. I think that we are more worthy of the finale than the army team.
- Can we say that Ak Bars faced a decisive series with a problem with the implementation of the majority?
“I don't think so.” It’s just that an opponent plays against us, analyzing our strengths. I think that the army team just applied certain tactical schemes, which did not allow us to score in the majority.
- Is it possible to say that Ak Bars is in decline? After all, you had problems in the away matches with both Chemist and CSKA.
- You probably heard that before the match in Mytishchi we had a flu epidemic in our team. Therefore, they did not look as convincing as everyone expected. But we will prepare for the final series. You will see, there will be an uncompromising game.
- The final “Ak Bars” - “Metallurg” is more interesting than “Ak Bars” - “Vanguard”?
- The final, by definition, cannot be uninteresting. There are two strongest teams in the Super League. Both rivals have come a long way to playoffs.
- Are you not surprised that Vanguard lost to Magnitogorsk?
“He had won three years in a row before that.” Once it was supposed to end. So such a moment has come.
- And who would you like to see in the finals?
- No difference. Both teams are very strong, organized.
- Can you recover from matches with CSKA?
- Should. There is time. The medicine in our club is one of the best in the Super League. We will approach the finals in great shape.
- On Tuesday, the collection of the national team begins. Have you decided at all whether you will play for the national team at the World Cup or get injured?
- Not only me, we all will definitely come. The World Cup in Moscow cannot be missed. I think that our five can be useful.
Alexey Shevchenko