"We set a goal to get into the top ten of the RPL according to the results of the championship"

The matches of the second round of the Russian Football Championship among the teams of the Russian Premier League (RPL) will be held next weekend. In one of the games, Spartak Moscow will host Baltika Kaliningrad, which created a major sensation in the opening round of the championship. Andrey Talalaev's team managed to draw with Dynamo Moscow on the road, spoiling Valery Karpin's debut as the head coach of the blue and white.

Baltika has just returned to the RPL, having spent last season in the first league. In an interview with Izvestia, Ravil Izmailov commented on the start of the team after returning to the elite of Russian football, spoke about the possible strengthening of the squad and the tasks of the Kaliningrad club for the current Russian championship.

— How would you rate the start of the season for Baltika?

— A normal start. We achieved an away draw against a very strong opponent. Although they could have won. If someone had told me on the morning of the match with Dynamo that there would be a draw, I probably would have been happy. But as the game progressed, there were already thoughts of winning. We were leading 1-0 after the first half, and we could have scored another goal before the break. But they missed it off the bounce. But in general, the result is normal — with a plus sign.

— To what extent does the team still need to strengthen its squad before the end of the current summer transfer window?

— We will strengthen, but minimally. I think one or two people are young players, no more.

— So not even for key positions, but more for the depth of the squad?

- yes.

— What are Baltika's goals for this championship?

— We set a goal to get into the top ten. Finish at least tenth in the championship.

— Is your club currently in the top ten in terms of financial opportunities in the RPL?

"About the tenth." So if we finish the season in tenth place or higher in terms of sports performance, it will be a good result for the first year after returning to the RPL. This is also due to the financial component, since you know how league revenues are distributed among clubs depending on the higher final place in the table.

— Is the Russian Cup a secondary event for Baltika?

— It is secondary to the championship. But that doesn't mean we won't try to win every cup match. In any case, the goal is to win every game. In the championship, the goal is to play well with your direct competitors for tenth place, but at the same time sometimes beat the giants, sometimes draw with them. And try to perform as well as possible in the cup. In general, to please our fans in every match.

— While working as CEO of Pari Nizhny Novgorod, you stated a strategy to find talented young football players, bring them to a high level in the RPL and earn money by selling them to more financially secure clubs. At Baltika, at the Premier League level, what is the concept?

— We want to achieve a balance between experienced guys and young ones. Of course, we want to find talented young players and develop them, but we also do not give up on solving problems in the near future.