"Dzyuba was joking about my mustache, but in Rostov they compare me to Mercury"

Football player Ilya Vakhania has been one of the leaders of Rostov for the second season, confidently moving in the middle of the RPL table. Last year, the 24-year-old defender made his debut for the Russian national team in a 4-0 friendly match with Belarus, and scored his first goal for the national team in the March game against Zambia.

In an interview with Izvestia, Vakhania shared his impressions of the national team calls, talked about the emotions of being at the national team training camp with Artyom Dzyuba and how Rostov was influenced by the February departure of head coach Valery Karpin and key football player Danil Glebov.

— In the last match for the Russian national team, you scored a goal against Zambia and made an assist. What emotions have you experienced?

— The most special ones. I didn't even expect this from myself. I've scored so many goals and assists this season. I haven't even done that yet this season. And then I was able to in one match (laughs). Very pleasant. Although, as a defender, it was even more pleasant for me that we didn't concede a single goal in a match against a good opponent. Zambia has a good offensive line, it was interesting to play against it.

— It was your first home match for the national team. How's the atmosphere?

— It's beautiful. The stands are almost full — it's always nice to play with such support from the fans.

— The main event of the national team's March training camp was Valery Karpin's challenge of Artyom Dzyuba and his goal to Grenada, thanks to which he broke the record for goals for the Russian national team. Did the team have any special emotions from this?

— Yes, of course. I think everyone understood how important this was to him. And it was clear how motivated Dzyuba was. And he was very motivated. It was noticeable even in training during the training camp. And in the game itself. When he scored, I was very happy for him. Just like everyone else in the team.

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

Russian national football team player Nikolai Komlichenko — about the record of the star striker, the match with Zambia and the changes in Rostov

— What impressions did Artyom leave about himself as a person?

— Basically, it's the same as on TV when you watch it. That is, not in principle, but exactly the same. There's nothing more to say.

— What's he like on TV?

— A joker, constantly in the spotlight. It's the same in real life.

— Did Dzyuba joke about you personally?

"He liked my moustache very much. I can't remember anything specific, but there were always some jokes on this topic (smiles).

— Speaking of moustaches. You've only recently acquired them. When and why did they start growing them?

— Yes, I just wanted them for a long time, but nothing grew. On vacation, during the winter break in the season, I decided to try to do this seriously. I suffered for the first month, nothing grew, but then at least it started a little.

Is there anyone in particular you wanted to imitate?

— No, no, I just wanted to change my image.

— Did your wife approve?

— Yes, she likes it.

— How did the Rostov team react when they appeared in a new look at the training camp?

"They've been calling me Freddy ever since." In honor of Freddie Mercury. They saw a resemblance to him.

— Do you listen to the music of the band Queen? Mercury died long before you were born.

— I still listen to this music. And I watched a movie about him ("Bohemian Rhapsody" 2018. — Ed.).

— Do you like anything else besides We are the Champions?

— Yes, I Want to Break Free, "Bohemian Rhapsody".

— What else do you like from the music?

— Different things. I can listen to everything. Starting from the 1980s and up to something modern. There is no specific style.

— What is the last one that has gone particularly far?

— "Don't Cry" by Tanya Bulanova.

"You need to prove that the national team coach doesn't just talk about you like that"

Khimki goalkeeper Nikita Kokarev — about the words of Vitaly Kafanov, his debut season in the RPL, the struggle for survival in the elite and the Krasnodar system

— This was not your first call-up to the national team. Are you used to performing for her?

— This is just the second gathering. I made my debut last year in a match against Belarus, when I was called up to the national team for the first time and played for it for the first time. Well, there was another challenge, for the match against Egypt, when we had about 50 people, but the match did not count. If you count with him, then in March I had my third training camp. But it's still not much. So I'm not used to it yet. Moreover, the last call-up to the national team, when we played with Belarusians, was almost a year ago. That's why the match against Zambia feels like it's all over again. It feels like the first time.

— Why were there no calls between the June match against Belarus and the March match against Zambia?

— I think it was related to my playing for the club. I couldn't play for Rostov the way I played last season in the Russian Premier League.

— Considering that in Rostov, due to the airport being closed in the city, you constantly have to make long trips to and from away matches, is it also difficult to travel to the national team when you can rest during a two-week break?

— I don't pay attention to it, because I always really want to play for the national team. And I respond to any challenge with my consent. It is a special honor to represent the country. And for the sake of it, you can do without extra days of rest.

— The RFU is often criticized for holding matches of the Russian national team against weak teams at the level of Brunei and Grenada during the current ban. In your opinion, is it worth doing? Wouldn't it be easier to let everyone practice in clubs if you can't come to an agreement with strong opponents?

— Since there is still such a situation, we need to hold matches with those with whom we can arrange a meeting. And the whole team gets together to conduct the training process and matches. It's necessary.

— Were you surprised when Valery Karpin announced his retirement from Rostov at the end of February?

— Yes, like everyone else, I was surprised.

— What changed after he left?

"Nothing at all. It's all the same. After all, Jonathan Alba, who replaced him, worked at Rostov and under Valery Georgievich. And the rest of the staff also stayed. Therefore, I can't even say anything that has changed. In general, everything remained exactly the same as it was.

Race without a leader: Zenit will visit Spartak without a key player

Zenit will face Spartak, Lokomotiv will play Dynamo Moscow, and Krasnodar will face Rostov.

— Did Danil Glebov's departure to Dynamo Moscow have a big impact on Rostov's game?

— Of course, it's a loss. But if you look at our spring matches, then, in principle, Rostov has someone to replace him. And the guys are doing a great job with it.

— Who replaced him as the leader in the locker room?

"No one yet. Because even before that, we had senior guys who, along with Glebov, were leaders. These are Komlichenko, Osipenko, Bayramyan, Sutormin. They remain leaders even now.

— Being in the Zenit system, did you have any chances to get to the base?

— We used to be involved in friendly games — with Fenerbahce and Crvena Zvezda during a break for national team matches. But I have never gone to training camps with the Zenit main team. Therefore, there was a feeling that there was no chance of breaking into it. More precisely, that it would be difficult.

— You have Georgian roots on your father's side. Do you visit Georgia?

— Yes, of course. In the summer, we sometimes go to his native places in a village in the mountains — the closest of the big cities there is Kutaisi. But, unfortunately, not as often as we would like.

— Do you know Georgian yourself?

"Almost none." I communicate with my relatives in Georgia because they know Russian. I can only talk to the locals in the village through my dad.

— Has the Georgian Football Federation ever offered you to play for their national team?

— No, I didn't offer it.

— Rostov is confidently holding on to seventh place. He is not in danger of relegation, but it is difficult to catch up with the leading group. What motivation does the team find for the rest of the championship?

— We are just looking forward and want to win as many matches as possible.

— What needs to be improved in order to achieve this?

— In the implementation. Unfortunately, we don't score as many goals as we create chances.

— In almost two years of playing in the RPL, who was the hardest player for you as a defender to play against?

— It's hard to remember... I think Viktor Saa from Krasnodar liked it when we played a friendly match with them. He's sharp, he's got fast feet. It was hard with him.

— Was there a favorite player from the wingbacks in your childhood?

— I liked Anyukov. I've always followed him — it was interesting. Moreover, he played at Zenit and achieved great success with him.

— Who are you watching especially now?

— I like Arnold from Liverpool.

— Are there any favorite clubs in Europe or national championships where you would like to go to play, if there is such an opportunity?

— I like Atletico Madrid. I'm rooting for this team. And of the national championships, Italy is closer to me.

— What do you do for yourself during the long journey from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow or back?

— Well, it's not that long — we travel around 5-6 hours to Stavropol, and then we fly for another couple of hours. How do I spend this time? I read books, watch movies, TV series of some kind.

— What was the last thing you liked about movies and TV shows?

— The movie "Faster than a bullet". I watched the Outsourcing series.

— And how do you like it?

— It's interesting, but it's kind of scary. It's scary the time and the place that they show there.

— Your favorite places in Rostov-on-Don and St. Petersburg?

— In Rostov, the left bank and Gorky Park. And I like the Tauride Garden in St. Petersburg. And in general, the city itself is my favorite.

— Who are your closest friends at Rostov?

— With Egor Golenkov. I bought a dog from him. He has his own dog. And he decided that she needed to have a baby to improve her health. The puppies appeared. And at that time, my wife and I wanted to get a dog. As a result, one ty Poodle puppy was taken from Egor. He is now one and a half years old.

— Does it help to distract from football?

— Yes, it helps a lot. You get distracted from everything. A little training session before the children arrive.