Dmitry Uzinskiy: "PARMA always plays with special energy on their home court"

Zenit forward Dmitry Uzinskiy shared his thoughts ahead of the upcoming away game of the VTB United League regular season against BETCITY PARMA. The matchup against the Ural team will take place tomorrow, February 22, at the Molot Arena and will tip off at 16:00 St. Petersburg time.

— In the previous game, you made a strong impact coming off the bench. How are you feeling ahead of tomorrow’s matchup?

— In the game against Uralmash, I really managed to come in strong off the bench. For me, it’s primarily about readiness — being as focused as possible and bringing energy to the team exactly when it’s needed. I’m heading into tomorrow’s game in good shape and in a solid working rhythm. I feel confident both physically and mentally, and I’m ready to help the team as much as required.

— Over the past month, PARMA has had a few setbacks. How has the opponent changed since our last meeting?

— Despite a few slip-ups over the past month, they remain a very well-organized and disciplined team. They’ve drawn conclusions and added more aggression and physicality on defense. At Molot, they always play with special energy, so we’re expecting a tough game. We’ve carefully analyzed their recent matches and understand what makes them dangerous.

— What will be the decisive factor in the game, considering we’re playing in front of an away crowd?

— The key factor will be maintaining concentration for the full 40 minutes and controlling the small details — rebounds, turnovers, and quick transitions from defense to offense. Plus, character. Playing in front of the opposing fans is an extra challenge, but for us it’s more of a motivation. It’s important to impose our tempo and stay composed in the closing moments.