"We will do everything to experience these moments of joy again"

Krasnodar football players won the Russian championship for the first time in history. On Saturday, May 24, they won 3-0 at home against Dynamo Moscow in the last, 30th round and secured the gold medals, ending Zenit St. Petersburg's six-year hegemony in the RPL. After the final whistle, the team celebrated their triumph very emotionally on the field, then in the locker room, at the exit from the stadium and in the city. This was done most vividly by midfielder Alexander Chernikov, one of Krasnodar's key players in recent years. In an interview with Izvestia, the player spoke about his feelings from this success and the secrets of the team's victory.

— Of all the Krasnodar players, you were the most emotionally celebrating the championship on the field.

— Yes, I wanted to enjoy this moment as much as possible, to share it with Krasnodar fans, teammates, coaches, managers, and club employees. We have done incredible things, achieved unprecedented success in the history of Krasnodar. Of course, the emotions are indescribable.

— What were your feelings when you entered the field for the last match of the season against Dynamo?

— With feelings that it is necessary to win. That we need to give our all to the game, show our best football, and take the final decisive step. I am glad that we succeeded. Not everything worked out in this game, we couldn't score in the first half, but after the break we did what we had to do and deservedly won.

— Many did not believe that Zenit's hegemony in the RPL would end soon. There were especially doubts about this year, when Peter celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the club. Did such conversations put pressure on you?

— To be honest, I don't want to talk about Zenit or any other team right now. We respect all rivals, we take everyone seriously. It's not easy to play with each of them — this season is no exception. But now I want to talk about Krasnodar, I want to enjoy the triumph.

Gold on horns: Krasnodar became the champion of Russia in football

The first title in the club's history

— How will you celebrate it?

— I'll have a little celebration with the team, and then I'll go to my family. Family is very important. I want to share this happiness of victory with her.

— What does it feel like to win the championship when you are in obviously more difficult conditions after 2022 than most other RPL clubs? I'm talking about long trips to and from away matches due to the lack of flights in Krasnodar.

— We didn't think about it. We trained and worked in the conditions that exist. Fortunately, our training conditions are amazing — thanks to Sergey Galitsky for that. Therefore, we did everything for success, to please him, our fans. This is all our common victory — Galitsky, the fans, the managers, the players, the coaching staff, and all the administrative staff. Everyone has contributed a part of themselves to this success. I would like to share the joy of this victory with everyone.

— Do you think Krasnodar will repeat this success in the coming years? Will it be more difficult to stay at the top?

— For now, I don't want to think about it, but just keep positive emotions from the championship longer. I want to experience these moments of happiness longer. And so, yes, Krasnodar is a big club. And he has to fight for medals, for titles, for the highest places. We will continue to tune in to this and do everything we can to make sure that everyone experiences these moments of joy again.