"We must also burn out CSKA"

The first spring matches of the Russian Football Cup were held this week. The most striking event was the Dynamo and Spartak derby in the first match of the RPL Paths semi-final. The blue and white sensationally defeated their main rival with a score of 5:2 and almost secured passage to the penultimate stage of the Cup — the second leg will be held on March 18. This is the second major victory of Dynamo this spring. Earlier, they defeated Samara Krylia Sovetov (4-0) at home in the 19th round of the Russian championship.

In an interview with Izvestia, Dynamo midfielder Alexander Kutitsky commented on the victory over Spartak, assessed the team's readiness to fight for the Cup and told what changed after Rolan Gusev was confirmed as the head coach of the blue and white team and the first training camp under his leadership, held in Dubai.

— How do you explain this particular defeat of Spartak?

— Derby, the main rival. That's why everyone gave their best 100%. I think the bill is logical. Especially when we were playing at home. Hence, there was even more desire.

— You've done your best against Spartak before, but you haven't beaten them very often in recent years, especially with such a score. What has changed now?

— After all, we've tuned in even more. I want to get to the Superfinal of the Cup. Therefore, we will try to continue in this spirit.

— Does it have a strong emotional impact that winning the Cup is, in fact, the only chance for Dynamo to save this season?

— Yes, the Cup comes first for us. But let's not forget about the championship. We need to improve our position in the standings. Therefore, we will try our best both in the Cup and in the championship. We have to play CSKA in two days — it's also a derby with a good opponent. It is also necessary, as they say, to burn out.

— What outcome of the spring part of the championship will you consider a success, taking into account the 16-point gap from the top three?

— We won't guess that. We will try to climb up and up with each game. We'll see by the end of the season.

— Do you believe that you can reach the top three in the championship?

— Of course we do. We must believe that it will work.

— Is it clear from the first two matches of the spring that Dynamo is ready to solve serious problems?

— We will look from game to game. We will try to improve even more and go the same way as in the first two games of the spring.

"The decision on Gusev will depend on the results in the Cup, the RPL and the quality of the game"

Alexander Ivlev, Chairman of the Dynamo Board of Directors, talks about the tasks for the spring, his place on the RFU Executive Committee and the "Sevidova curse"

— Sergey Stepashin, a member of the Dynamo Board of Directors, predicted that your team will play Zenit in the Russian Cup Superfinal. Are you ready for this?

— We are ready for everything, but we won't make any predictions. There is still a return semi-final with Spartak, then two matches of the final of the RPL Path, then the Superfinal. We need to tune in to every next game.

— In winter, you had your first training camp under Rolan Gusev as Dynamo's head coach. What did you see at his headquarters and how should it help the team in the spring?

— It probably became more emotional. Friendly gatherings, all on the same wavelength. We will try to keep improving. And God forbid everything will work out.

— How have the requirements for you personally changed?

— More defensive plan tasks, safety net. Something like these instructions. I try to help the team with every coach. Somewhere, maybe, it just doesn't work out sometimes. But I continue to do everything for Dynamo, I try my best. I will continue to improve my qualities. In principle, each coaching staff has its own requirements for tactics, ball play from the goal, and generally offensive and defensive actions. With the current headquarters, everything is fine, everything is fine — I cannot criticize.

— Dynamo left training camp in Dubai a week before the start of hostilities in the Middle East. What are your emotions about this?

— Of course, it's good that we left earlier and today we can play here in Moscow. What else can I say?

— Does the prospect of flying there next winter bother you now?

— Let's see. In general, we are not the ones who decide.