- Last autumn you said you would master Russian. How is it going for you?
- I used to have more free time back then and even attended classes. Then the schedule became tighter and I had to quit. Still I understand everything teammates say.
- According to media such teams as Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in you…
- There are a lot of rumors that have nothing to do with reality. At the moment I’m Dynamo player. My contract will be valid for three more years. If I get some worthy transfer offer in summer I’ll discuss it with Dynamo president.
- Anyway are you going to leave Kyiv this summer or maybe the chance to perform in the Champions League with the team you’ve helped to win the domestic title is more attractive?
- I had no doubt we would win the title this season and qualify for the Champions League. It’s very prestigious to perform in this competition, so I won’t even consider transfer offers from average clubs. Besides I don’t think Dynamo president wants to lose main squad players right now.
- You used to play under the charge of Oleh Blokhin and now Serhiy Rebrov is the head coach. What’s the main difference between these specialists?
- I can’t criticize coaches. Besides Blokhin is a true legend. He was a great player and helped Ukraine reach the World Cup quarterfinal. Still when team loses they usually blame the coach.
- It’s a real mystery as the team didn’t demonstrate worthy results with Blokhin, but won the league with Rebrov at once.
- Blokhin is the representative of old school and Rebrov is young. Such coaches eagerly accept latest football tendencies. Besidesadaptation of big group of newcomers took some time.
- You usually perform alongside Yevhen Khacheridi. It seems that after his children were born he became calmer both on the field and in everyday life.
- I think Yevhen is the best Ukrainian centre back and I really respect him. I was one of the first, who congratulated him on addition to his family. As for his calmness… Khacheridi is a true professional and such people don’t like to lose.
- With whom do you have the best relationship in the team?
- I have good relationship with all my teammates and staff. Berislav often helps me. I communicate with Vida a lot as we speak the same language. I work on English with Veloso and Lens and on Russian with Yarmolenko and Harmash.
- When the conversation was over Alex noticed that journalist was looking at his “Never give up” tattoo.
- That’s my motto. I had a difficult period when I was outside the national team players’ list. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but after I got this tattoo things started getting better…
* photo by V. Rasner
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