"Even under Donnarumme, I was sure that Safonov would become the main one at PSG"

Nine rounds of the Russian Football Championship are over. For Samara "Wings of the Soviets", who narrowly avoided relegation from the RPL last season, the start of the new championship is going quite well. The team is in ninth place, having suffered only two defeats. The injury to the main goalkeeper Sergey Pesyakov has not affected the results so far. """" Nikita Kokarev, who replaced him in the last two rounds, helped the Volga team beat Moscow "Rodina" at home (2:1) and draw away with "Lokomotiv" (1:1). The 23-year-old goalkeeper joined Krylia more than a year ago, but did not play a single match in the last championship, receiving playing practice only in the Russian Cup. "" In an interview with "Izvestia" Kokarev appreciated the start of the Samaritans in the season, talked about the goals of the team and commented on the triumph of his former partner in Krasnodar Matvey Safonov, who won the Champions League in the spring with PSG.

— What is the reason why "Krylia" are showing good results in the first part of the season?

— Because we train hard, prepare well for matches, and analyze the opponent well. Both we and the coaching staff are doing a lot of work.

— Are you satisfied with the result?

— Do we have a positive result? Non-negative, let's say. In the same last match against "Lokomotiv" we just didn't have enough luck in finishing the attacks. And so, in principle, we had a good game.

— "Lokomotiv" won the bronze medal last season, and now it is at the bottom of the table, below your team. Does it feel like the "Wings" class is higher now than that of railway workers?

"Lokomotiv has always been a good team." And the fact that they're having a downturn now... all teams have downturns. We also had problems at certain points last season. And what is at the "Locomotive" now… I think they will get to the top after this three-week break — it should benefit them.

— What are the team's goals this season?

— I think with the game we have, we can safely climb into the top eight and stay there. It's quite real.

— How confident do you feel now, after you played two matches for "Krylia" in the championship? Are you ready to win the competition from Pesyakov after his return?

— It's up to the coaching staff to decide which of us will play next. As it is, I've had practice in cup games. As for confidence, to be honest, I don't know how to answer. Confidence is either there or it is not.

— How did you react to the spring triumph of your partner in the "Krasnodar" academy Matvey Safonov, who managed to win the competition for a place in the PSG squad and won the Champions League as the main goalkeeper?

— I am very happy for him. I watched and, of course, supported him. And this is, first of all, a great achievement for Russian football.

— Did you believe that he was capable of ousting Luc Chevalier from the main squad?

- of course. Moreover, when Matthew first joined PSG, I was talking to one of my friends, and he asked: "Why did he go there?" I replied: "If he went there, it means he will soon become the main goalkeeper."

"Did you say that even before Gianluigi Donnarumma left PSG for Manchester City, and many thought that Safonov had no chance at all?"

— Yes, under Donnarumma. At the beginning of Matvey's first season at PSG, when he was still the second goalkeeper.

— Do you believe that Safonov is now PSG's main goalkeeper for a long time?

— Of course. He shows it with his game, helps the team out. I am sure he will succeed further. The fact that he is nominated for the title of the best goalkeeper of the year also speaks volumes.