- Will you change something in the line-ups before the meeting with Finland?
- We do not expect any changes yet. The guys need time to find mutual understanding. We saw today that not everything worked out, but you need to be patient and give the opportunity to build connections.
- Finland is a more serious rival than Ukraine and Denmark.
- Of course. This match will be the first serious test. Then let's see what the current combinations are capable of.
- Do you think that the Russian team now has a lot of problems before meeting with a serious opponent?
- Let's see already during the match. It is important that everyone respects game discipline. No matter how paradoxical this may sound in a situation where we score so much, the way the guys practiced on the defensive makes us happy. Especially before serious matches. There are some rough spots, but everyone works for the team. Although, of course, not all links worked equally smoothly.
“But is something seriously bothering you?”
- Not yet.
- And the fact that Ilya Kovalchuk does not score?
- Important matches are yet to come.
- I’m not happy that not too strong Ukrainians fled face to face with Alexander Eremenko.
- Yes, we were analyzing these moments today. The defenders are too wide. By the way, it was some kind of illogical arrangement. We ourselves did not understand why they stood up. Usually one defense player covers the middle. And if the opponent throws the puck over the side, then there is a double movement. But a hole has formed. It was a one-time mistake.
- But in terms of game discipline there are no problems?
- Unconsciously, the teams of Denmark and Ukraine pushed the guys to show what they are capable of. Sometimes it overwhelms. We all understand. It is important that they realize that in a team game they will receive much more. You look, when we scored today - the puck “walked”. Remember the goal scored by Kazan? There, after all, all in one touch was: once. It was wonderful. Despite some not the best moments, the game that we are waiting for slipped at all the links. The guys have quick hands, a quick pass and excellent vision of the site. But if someone gets stuck on an individual game, something breaks right away.
- After you beat two opponents with a total score of 17: 2, there was no desire for the number of participants in the World Cup to be reduced?
- After all, we assemble the team late, not so much time to play. These matches only help us. And the IIHF is trying to promote hockey. Therefore, so many teams play. It is important that these rivals gain experience so that their level of hockey grows.
- But growing, it seems, on the contrary, the gap between these teams and the elite.
- is growing. It’s hard for them yet. But these are not our problems.
- The Russian team missed a goal today in the very first minority. Forgot how to play in such a situation? With the Danes, they did not receive a single removal at all.
- We play it in every training session. Here, much depends on the goalkeeper and attentiveness.
- Goal on goalkeeper’s conscience?
- It's hard to blame him. We understand that Alexander has not played for a long time. And we try to give him more practice. But Eremenko was worried.
- Did something happen to the team after it suddenly appeared in the role of acting out?
- It gave a little push. I won’t say that the guys came out sloppy, that there was no mood. We all say that we need to go out for every match, like the last one. But it’s nice that there was no panic. No one was shaken.
- For yourself, you have decided who will defend the gate in the match with the Finns?
- Not.
- Today you tried Alexander Ovechkin as the fourth striker with the majority. What did you think of it?
- Fine. Not perfect, of course, but it takes time to play. Let's see what will happen next. It seems to me that with the triple of Happy he succeeds.
Alexey Shevchenko