"Playing for your country is a special story"

Anton Miranchuk's arrival at the March matches of the Russian national team against Grenada and Zambia was the first for the football player since his transfer to Swiss Sion, for which he has been playing since August. Both matches were won by Valery Karpin's team with a score of 5:0, and Anton played out the entire meeting with Zambia as captain.

In an interview with Izvestia, the 29-year-old midfielder shared his emotions about returning to the national team, expressed hope to join it at the same time as his twin brother Alexei, who plays for Atlanta United in the United States, and also commented on Maxim Glushenkov's hat-trick against Zambia and Artem Dzyuba's achievement, which set a record for goals for the national team. the team.

— The main event of the last training camp was Artyom Dzyuba's record for goals for the national team. What emotions did you feel at that moment?

— I was very happy for Artyom. He really wanted it and got his way. It was nice to see him. Dzyuba is a great guy for proving his current level by playing at Akron. Valery Georgievich appreciated this and invited him to the national team, giving him a chance to set this record. And Dzyuba took advantage of it.

— How did he make such a career?

— Due to dedication, love of football, desire to be the best in everything. I played with him more than once in the national team, and we were together for more than a year at Lokomotiv. I saw how he treats business, every training session, how he gives his best in every match. And always on a positive wave. He knows how to rally a team, always approaches everything with humor. And it helps him to be successful for so long.

— How did you like Glushenkov in the match against Zambia?

— Max is just fine! The best!

— Why did he play this match so well?

— It was obvious that he was very excited for the game, like all of us. And he has plenty of skills. I played with him for a year and a half at Lokomotiv, and I saw what Max was capable of. And you all saw that he showed us how effective he was. Therefore, it is not surprising that he showed himself so well with Zambia, having got a chance in the starting line-up.

— What was the most emotional part of the national team these days — Dzyuba's record goal or Glushenkov's hat trick?

— It's wrong to single out someone here: the whole team is good. Well done, everyone!

— Why did you defeat Zambia so soundly? It is almost a hundred places higher than Grenada in the ranking, and the score in the matches against both teams is the same.

— Well, that's how it turned out (laughs). We prepared well, did everything that the coaching staff and Karpin demanded of us. Hence the results and the goals are good.

"I haven't seen Dzyuba frowning"

Russian national football team player Alexander Chernikov — about training with the new top scorer of the national team, his record and the atmosphere at the match with Grenada

— How much has the situation in the national team changed during your absence?

— It hasn't changed much. Still, not many guys have changed since then. In general, the composition is the same. In general, I have said more than once and I am ready to repeat that it is always nice to return to the national team, especially when it plays home matches. This is my homeland. I haven't seen the guys for a long time — it's always great to meet them. Not to mention that I saw my parents and visited their house. Therefore, the emotions are the same as from all previous visits to the national team.

— Are you waiting for the moment when you will be in the national team at the same time as your brother?

— I hope that we will prove ourselves well, and Valery Georgievich will challenge us. I really want that, of course.

— Is the speed and intensity of the Russian national team's play and training comparable to what you experience in Switzerland?

— It doesn't even make sense to compare, because any match for the national team is always a special responsibility to the fans and teammates. Therefore, the intensity is always higher and the pressure is higher. Playing for your country is a special story. It's hard to compare this with the club championship.

— Based on the last five days in the national team, what can you say about its level? If Russia is banned tomorrow, how competitive will it be in official tournaments?

— Oh, it's hard to say yet… But that's why the RFU is trying to select such friendly games so that we can be competitive, plus or minus, and see our level. So that the national team does not live blindly, not realizing how much its level is comparable to those or other teams. All this is done so that we are ready to solve problems in the international arena when we are returned there.

— Do matches with teams at Grenada's level help in this regard, too?

— Well, what should I do? What can I say here… That's how the situation turned out. We play with those with whom we can arrange matches.

National team moment: Dzyuba can set a goalscoring record in the national team

During the matches with Grenada and Zambia, the striker is able to surpass another achievement of Kerzhakov.

— Some people think that it is necessary to play only when it is possible to reach an agreement with opponents of the level of Cameroon, Serbia or Nigeria, which will be played in June. If it doesn't work out, then don't pull you out of Switzerland for matches with Grenada and Zambia, and Alexey out of the USA for matches with Brunei and Syria.

— I don't know... to be honest, this is not a question for me. I always come to the national team with pleasure. It's nice to play for her against any opponent. Especially if it's a home game, when you can hear your fans and meet your family and friends. The atmosphere in the national team is always interesting. Well, in any case, you need to establish gaming connections, check them as often as possible. To do this, you need to play as many matches as possible. To do this, it is worth using any opportunities that the RFU finds.

— Do you like the way Lokomotiv is playing this season?

— I watched some of the matches, I liked it. I'm watching the team. Well done guys, who are at the top of the standings, fighting for medals, and continuing to compete in the Russian Cup. I communicate with some of them. With Bara (Dmitry Barinov. — Izvestia), with Puks (Artem Karpukas. — Izvestia). It is clear that they are aiming for maximum results. I am glad that they are able to walk alongside the leading group. I wish them good luck!

— A year ago, while still at Lokomotiv, did you expect Alexey Batrakov to make such a powerful debut in the RPL?

— Even then it was clear that the guy was crazy. So now he started to prove himself as soon as he got a chance in the first team. In general, those who saw him before his debut in the RPL are not surprised by this success. Personally, I saw his potential when I was with him. And I'm also not surprised by his bright performance — I'm very happy for Lyosha.