Edgaras Chesnauskis: “If Weiss is fired, all the players of the base of Saturn will stand up for him

After a draw with Khimki, the Lithuanian midfielder of Saturn discussed with the Sport Today correspondent the secret meaning of this meeting, spoke about the different draws of his team and the differences between Vladimir Weiss and the head coach of the Lithuanian national team.

- Is it true that the match with Khimki can be called a derby primarily because both clubs are somehow funded by the Moscow Region Government and the distribution of money for the next year largely depends on their face-to-face meetings?

- The place in the standings following the results of the championship is much more important than this match. Although we wanted to win whether it was a derby or not. “Khimki” played, like all our previous rivals are not from among the leaders - very viscous and relying on “physics”.

- Did Governor Boris Gromov attend the game?

- Actually, I did not look for him in the stands with his eyes, but most likely he should have attended this match.

- The management of Saturn did not explain to the players the principle of the meeting with Khimki?

- Club bosses periodically meet with us - after matches or in front of them. We discuss the prospects of the team - for example, for the next month.

- Why is “Saturn” showing a good game with the favorites, and playing mediocre and outsiders mediocre?

- And while the result is the same - a draw. Before each match, we set ourselves up for victory, but nothing happens with average teams on the field because they agree to a draw. And they are not averse to “dry” the game or to impose a struggle - and they succeed. And the favorites play to win, reveal more, and with such a game of the opponent we act better. Sometimes there are unfair loss of points, as in the match with Lokomotiv. And with “Khimki” we really played badly, and therefore earned only one point.

- What do they say in the club about the possible dismissal of Vladimir Weiss?

“I have not heard anything about this.” Weiss is trying hard, but still no result.

“That's exactly why they can fire him.” Would you like him to stay?

- Yes of course. In general, this is the situation here: if a coach allows a player to play, he will be against his dismissal. I’m not only talking to myself. All players who, under Weiss, get a place on the field, in which case they will stand up for him. Because the next coach can put them on the bench.

- You probably should be especially grateful to Weiss, since your talent was revealed just in his team?

- Thanks to him for making me a base player. In Kiev Dynamo I was sitting on a bench and no one could appreciate my capabilities, and during my performance for Saturn they paid attention to me.

- You refuse to play for the Lithuanian national team because of head coach Algimantas Lubinskas. Don't you think that a football player needs experience in international meetings? Moreover, in your qualifying group you can play with the teams of Italy, France and Ukraine, which recently played at the World Cup.

- One thing is my professional growth, and another thing is the human qualities of a coach. I want to work with Weiss, but not with Lubinskas. Why should I go to the national team after several of his interviews about me, the essence of which boils down to the phrase “I do not need Chesnauskis”? He talked about this last year, but resentment in my heart still remains, despite the fact that challenges to the team still come.

Vadim SINAEV


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