"Enrique, like Malcom, will leave a very bright mark in St. Petersburg"

The Colombian footballer of Zenit, one of the leaders and top scorers of the St. Petersburg club Mateo Cassierra in an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express talked about the preparation for the second part of the season, serious renewal of the squad, competition with Alexander Sobolev, as well as hopes to play at the World Cup-2026.

I'm sure Karavaev will cope with everything

- Were the first matches at the training camp in Qatar easy for you after a long break?

- After all, after a long vacation it is very hard to give 100%. Legs are not used to it yet, plus the load from the training process. In general, it was difficult. Especially in the first match, by the second match we were already a little more spread out, so the feeling was much better.

- Karavaev's injury is the saddest news for Zenit this winter. Do you remember your first reaction when you learned about Vyacheslav's injury? How you and the team supported him?

- It is very sad news. Each of us contributes to the overall success, so Slava's injury is a huge loss for Zenit. Everyone in the team wants to see him back in the line soon, they wished him health personally. I once again wish him a speedy recovery. I am sure that Slava will cope with everything. He is very strong in spirit and character, a real fighter. We are all very much waiting for his return.

- Now "Zenit" is at the training camp in Abu Dhabi. What can you say about them? How do you feel?

- The second training camp definitely does not feel much easier. The work has changed, but it is intense, intense and very intense. In Doha we worked more in the gym, there was a lot of running work. We were restoring our conditioning after the vacation. In Abu Dhabi we have more game workload in terms of friendly matches and work with the ball. At the same time, training is very difficult, we need to take a qualitative approach to the issue of recovery. Everyone tries to sleep properly, eat properly.

- Did the team perceive the game against CSKA in the Winline RPL Winter Cup as a rehearsal before the match in the championship, which will be held on March 1?

- There is still a lot of time and training before the official game, so the Winter Cup match was just a part of the preparatory process. We perceived this meeting as an opportunity to spar qualitatively and fulfill the tasks that the coaching staff has set for us. Exactly the same way we perceive any match as part of the training camp preparation.

- Were you nervous before taking the penalty in the match with CSKA? After all, you don't often shoot 11-meter kicks.

- No, I wasn't nervous at all. In general, I'm quite uncharacteristically nervous, despite the fact that I don't often take penalties. This is an element that we work on sufficiently in training, so I calmly approached the spot and executed the shot.

Luis Enrique's transfer, Claudinho's departure, Wendel's motivation

- "Zenit" is the main headliner of this winter transfer window in RPL. Was it a shock for you to see the changes in the team right in the middle of the season?

- No. This is soccer, and these things happen in it. Players come and go, so there is nothing to be surprised about. Arthur and Claudinho were very important players for the team, but it was time to move on without them. Everyone has chosen their own path. We have less than a month left before the first official match, and our task is to spend this time as productively as possible, because the spring part is always much more difficult than the summer-autumn part. The competition is different, the stakes are higher. We need to be as ready as possible for the resumption of the season.

- Zenit's first newcomer in 2025 is Luis Enrique. What can you say about him? How was his introduction to the team?

- The team immediately welcomed him. As they always do with any new player. Everything is done here to ensure that the adaptation process of the newcomer passed as soon as possible, so that he would quickly begin to show his best qualities and help in achieving common goals. In the end, the most important thing is always for Zenit to be a winner. In fact, the club spent nothing, but managed to invite a very high quality player: everything I see in training shows that Enrique is a good and bright player who will bring Zenit a lot of benefit. I'm sure of it.

- Judging by the majority of comments on social networks, fans have no doubts about his soccer qualities. Tell us what he is like off the pitch.

- Luis seems to be a very calm and nice guy, easy to communicate. The most important thing is how he will show himself on the field. And there, I am sure, he will bring a lot of value. Enrique is an athletic and fast player with a good shot. And he still has time to approach the resumption of the season in the best possible shape.

- Enrique is being hailed by some as the new Malcom. Do you think they are similar in some ways?

- I think it is not quite correct to compare two different players. Malcom is a wonderful, amazing player. Louis is also a very high quality and strong athlete. I am sure that Enrique, like Malcom, will leave a very bright mark in St. Petersburg. He has everything to write his own great story at Zenit. He is indeed a very high quality and strong footballer.

- Enrique is another player to add to the attacking line. How do you feel about the fact that the competition for a place in the starting lineup has become tougher?

- Competition is always present in sports and always goes in favor of the common cause. Everyone is trying to grow and improve to earn a place in the starting lineup. In the end, the whole team grows. I take competition very calmly and believe that everyone can be useful and help. For my part, I tried to give 100% at every training session and in every match, and I will continue to do so. All of us here are doing a common cause. No matter who goes on the field, the task of everyone is to do so to bring Zenit as close as possible to the final success.

- With what mood is Wendel training now? After all, it is already known that he will leave the team in the summer. Some people have concerns that he will not give his best on the field.

- When it is known in advance that a player will leave the team, the motivation and the extent to which a person will give his best is a very individual issue. It happens differently for every player. Wendel is a great player, who has already brought a lot of benefit and glory to Zenit for all the time he spent in the team. He has another six months ahead of him to continue adding to his glory. Everyone who is now at Zenit has a clear goal - to win always.

- What can you say about Claudinho's departure?

- I can only wish him a lot of luck in the future, we have a great relationship with him. Claudinho did a lot for Zenit: we all fought together, won and rejoiced, and sometimes we suffered defeats and grieved. I will follow him and cheer for him. He has chosen the next stage of his soccer career, and I hope that those winning traditions, which he himself lived in Zenit, will be with him further.

Sobolev does not need my or anyone else's advice

- In friendly matches at the training camp you mainly play on the left side of the attack. Can you say that your position has changed now?

- In the course of this season and before, there were different matches in which I moved somewhere on the edge of the attack, somewhere I played in the center or took the position "under the striker". In general, I can cover several positions in the offensive line. There is nothing difficult for me in that.

- You now have 6 goals in 18 rounds of RPL. Last season you scored 21 in 28 games. Why has your performance decreased?

- I already answered a similar question, when, on the contrary, after low performance I started scoring a lot. Then, too, people asked me what changed. Nothing has changed. I work with the same dedication, I put the same amount of effort, even more. I try to be useful in every game moment and realize them when they arise. It happens like this: sometimes everything happens, and sometimes nothing or a few. I don't pay attention to the numbers. Every offensive player wants to score more often and give goal assists.

- Alexander Sobolev is your direct competitor for a place in the base. What do you think, what do you like and what do you differ in terms of soccer?

- I think that Sasha and I are two strikers with completely different characteristics. My task is to play soccer and benefit the team by scoring goals and giving assists. Other people make comparisons and look for similarities and differences. Those who like to make these parallels. The most important thing for me is that the team, whose colors I defend, always wins.

- What does Sobolev need to do to score his first goal in RPL? Did you give him any advice? You also had a similar goalless streak last season.

- I'm convinced that Alexander doesn't need my or anyone else's advice. Sobolev is a professional with a lot of experience. With a good career behind him and a great future. A very high-quality and strong striker, who will definitely help Zenit in the second part of the season. He doesn't need any advice, he knows and understands everything. He does everything to help the team. And the results will definitely come.

Failed end of the first part of the championship, heavy schedule in the spring

- "Zenit" finished the first part of the RPL season in second place, although with the same number of points as "Krasnodar". How would you assess the team's game as a whole?

- Of course, our tournament situation could have been much better. We made a number of misfires, and at home. We never like to lose points, especially at home. If it wasn't for those two defeats at the end of the first part of the season, we would have a pretty good points difference to our pursuers now. But as it turns out, we are level and in second place. It is very frustrating and bitter to lose at home in front of our fans, but last year is the past. Now it's a new and very difficult year. It will be a tough fight, but I and every person in the club are maximally focused on doing our best.

- The last failed matches with "Krylia" and "Akron" are still fresh in your memory or have you already erased it?

- I never keep either victory or defeat in my mind. Only the next game is important to me, because there is nothing to be done with the past one. It's already a page turned. What we are doing now is writing a new chapter.

- Right after the season resumes Zenit will have a heavy schedule. The most important games with CSKA and Spartak, difficult trips to Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don. Do the team realize that there will be no time for a warm-up?

- Of course. As soon as the season resumes, it will be necessary to gain speed from zero to a hundred in the shortest possible time. That's why we are now working at the training camp to the limit. The main goal at Zenit does not change from year to year: to be the first in all tournaments. At each training session we improve what needs to be improved and correct what needs to be corrected. Because, yes, you said it right, there will be no time for rocking. Everyone at Zenit understands that.

- The 2024/25 season is special for Zenit - the club turns 100 years old. What does this figure mean to you?

- The most important season, the most important figure for the club. I am very happy to be living this historic moment together with Zenit.

- Before the start of the season there were rumors about a possible move of Córdoba to Zenit. Tell me honestly, has he consulted you about it?

- No, we had no contacts. I do not know what the rumors were. I know that in the end he extended his contract with Krasnodar. Now each of us is defending the colors of his club, we are fighting for the championship.

- In 2026, the World Cup. Do you hope to go there as part of the Colombian national team?

- Absolutely. I already know what it's like to wear the national team jersey. And it's an incredible feeling. But first of all I must be focused on the matches for Zenit and do everything I can to show myself, to be useful. And then, if I get the opportunity to help the Colombian national team, I will gladly take it. I will do everything in my power to get such an opportunity.

- Tell us about your personal plans for 2025.

- I am happy with the thought that I am about to become a father for the second time. I'm going to have a daughter at the end of spring. The most important thing for me is that everything goes well. I want her to be born healthy. If we talk about soccer, I really want to celebrate the championship with Zenit at the end of the season. It will be a special moment for me, and I would like to remember it in this way.