"Dzyuba and I teased each other about weight and body fat"

The main event of the two March matches of the Russian national team was striker Artem Dzyuba's record for goals for the national team. His goal in the game against Grenada (5-0) was his 31st for the national team, which allowed him to surpass Alexander Kerzhakov, who was previously the leader in this indicator. In the very next game against Zambia, Dzyuba was replaced by another tall striker Nikolai Komlichenko from Rostov. Our team also won 5-0.

In an interview with Izvestia, Komlichenko explained how such devastating results were achieved, commented on Dzyuba's record, spoke about the resignation of the head coach of the national team Valery Karpin from a similar post at Rostov and spoke about the tasks of the Don club for the rest of the season.

— It is approximately clear why Russia was able to win 5-0 against Grenada, but how did it manage to defeat a much stronger Zambia with the same score?

— Due to the fact that we took the game seriously. At the expense of discipline, as always. And due to the skill of the guys.

— How do you like a few days in the national team with Dzyuba?

— great. I've already been with Dzyuba. I even replaced him in the selection for the Euro. So it wasn't anything special that we just crossed paths with him. Cool guy, normal in the team — everything was without problems.

— Has he changed much in the five years since your last time together in the national team?

— No, he's still cheerful and talkative.

— You can joke too. Have you had any competitions with Artyom in the national team these days?

— No, no, no, no, no. They behaved calmly. We just teased each other a little bit about weight, fat (smiles). Nothing else. Mutual help, mutual support — everything is as usual. How it should be in a team.

— How similar are you as football players? You're both tall and strong, and you play well with your head. Are there any other similarities besides the obvious ones?

— It's hard to add anything else to this. Yes, there are similarities in the fact that we are very big, we impose a struggle. And I can hardly name any nuances.

— Was there a stir within the team about Dzyuba's record?

— No, there probably wasn't such a super rush. It's just that everyone intuitively wanted to help Juba so that he could accomplish what he had in mind. That's why he was called in. Right? There was such a goal. I'm glad that everything worked out for him.

— Who do you think is the main candidate to break Artyom's record?

— Bales (Konstantin Tyukavin. — Ed.). God forbid he gets well, recovers quickly, gets in shape and will play. Then I think Bales can break the record.

— How useful are matches like those with Grenada or Brunei, teams from the bottom of the second hundred of the FIFA ranking, for the national team?

— I just like being in the national team. And this time I liked it. It's a great atmosphere. Moreover, I haven't seen many of the guys for a long time — it was great to see them. And it's great to play at home in front of your fans. I am always happy to join the national team, regardless of the opponents.

— Even taking into account the fact that now you had to travel a lot of hours from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow and back?

— We've already gotten used to it in three years. The main thing is that the national team plays. And so that we can feel this atmosphere.

— Are you following the political agenda and negotiations between Russia and the United States now? Is there any hope that this will soon prompt the return of our football to official international competitions?

— God forbid that it happens. I don't want to guess anything here, but we are waiting, believing and hoping.

— Do you believe that you will still play in an official match for the national team?

— If my health allows me and I will be on the level, then it is quite possible. I think everything will be fine.

— How did you feel about Valery Karpin's departure from Rostov? How unexpected was it?

— Not very unexpected. We were all ready for this. But we thought that the departure would happen a little later — at the end of the season. Therefore, nothing so tragic happened. Moreover, nothing has changed after Valery Georgievich's departure — the headquarters has remained the same. The current head coach, Jonathan Alba, worked as Georgievich's assistant, and all the other coaches have also been with us before. Therefore, the training process and tactics have not changed.

— What would you consider a successful end to the season for Rostov?

"If we don't make it."

— So you won't get out anyway.

—No, not really.

— 11 points of separation from the zone of transitional matches for nine rounds before the end. And there's still a threat?

— Yes, yes. When there is no chance for competitors to catch up with us, then I will agree with you (smiles). So we will play to the maximum every match, to solve the problem of not being eliminated from the RPL. Well, I would like to win the Cup.