Igor Volkhin: "Samara is in good form"
Blue-whites forward Igor Volkhin shared his expectations for the upcoming home game against Samara. The player assessed Zenit's opponent in the 10th round of the regular season and reflected on what it means to play on his birthday.
— Were you able to rest and fully recover after the away games in Yekaterinburg and Astana?
— Yes, we managed to recover, rest and train. We’re preparing as usual and researching our opponent. We already know what to be ready for. We'll try to follow the coach’s instructions to win this match.
— What do you think of Samara as a team?
— They’re currently in good shape. Generally, there aren't any clearly easy teams this season; there won’t be any straightforward matches. Samara is no exception — they have a good lineup and a solid coach. Everyone on the team is working hard and wants to win. Sometimes things go their way, sometimes they don’t, but it’s definitely going to be a challenging game.
— Tomorrow is a special day and a special game for you. Does playing on your birthday add any emotions?
— I’m not really sure. It feels like my birthday has taken on a different meaning. It’s more of a family holiday, a time to be with parents and friends. But since I was 14, I’ve been celebrating it with the team. So, of course, I’m a bit anxious. 27 is a significant age. I’ll try to play, maybe in a special way.
— It’s been a while since you played at home. Does that add any extra responsibility? Fans have missed seeing you.
— Playing at home is never more difficult. In fact, it’s always more enjoyable because our fans are here, and the arena is almost always packed. We hope our fans will come out tomorrow and support us.
