OLEG KONONOV: Such a draw will help FC Krasnodar to advance towards new achievements
- Of course we would have liked to pass the next qualification opposition fast and without concerns to find ourselves in the group round of the League. But I like this draw very much because this season for FC Krasnodar may be called a season of its self-affirmation. It is very important for us to assert ourselves not with weaker teams but with those of the same level or above us. Only in such a way a progress is possible for the team and the Club as a whole. Such a draw will help FC Krasnodar to advance towards new achievements.
It is obvious that Real Sociedad performs in a championship of a very serious level. This team is on the rise of late; last year they used to play in UEFA Champions League. It is apparent that this team is fighting for the highest positions in the Spanish league championship. But I do not think that the level of our team is inferior to the Spanish team’s one. In my view these are two equal opponents and everything will be decided only on aggregate after two matches. From strategic viewpoint it is good that we start with an away match.
We are still in for analysis of Real Sociedad’s performance but last season they played well enough in UEFA Champions League, although they didn’t achieve a prominent result in the group.
ANDREI SINITSYN: We will be proving our justifiability in the match with Spaniards
- I suppose Spaniards will make a bet on attacking, combinational football, and they are not an easy opponent. They are probably one of the least pleasant options among teams that we might have got in a draw. But the draw is done and the game will judge us. Naturally there is nothing to be afraid of at all, as Real Sociedad is not a fearful opponent. Sooner or later we would have got a good team as our opposition. It means that we will be proving our justifiability in the match with Spaniards, and this is an invaluable experience for us and a boost to the further development of our team.
I believe Real Sociedad will play an open football, as we do. Considering the fact that we start in an away match we should probably play in a careful manner and not allow the opponents constantly keep the ball. But the opposition analysis is still ahead and the coaching staff will explain us how to play against Real Sociedad.
YURI GAZINSKIY: FC Krasnodar will try to surprise Europe leaving Real Sociedad behind
- It is nice to play against such an opponent. Clearly it will be hard. We hoped we would receive a lower level team. But never mind, we will play against Real Sociedad, and we will play only for the win. We will just have to play our natural football. FC Krasnodar will try to surprise Europe leaving Real Sociedad behind. We will be aiming to do this and we are capable of doing it.
So you say Real Sociedad is a favorite here? Well, we’ll see about that!
ALEKSANDR MARTYNOVICH: There are no weak teams in Spanish championship
- This is probably the worst option of those six teams that we could have received as our opponents. I think they are a very strong and interesting team. Well, we’ll see what we can do to match them.
The first leg match is to be played away, the second one at home. Maybe it will come out as an additional advantage for us because it is always nice to take the field in a home stadium when you already know the result of the first leg match. But on the other hand, this is football; it’s hard to predict everything.
In Spain even those clubs, which are not in the lead and occupy the lower part of the table, represent a formidable force. They always play fast, combinational football, and all the players are well-trained technically. Therefore there are no weak teams there, and it is one of the strongest domestic league championships in Europe.
We have just found out the name of our opposition so we didn’t get to analyze their performance as of yet. We are still facing it, and we have little idea what they are capable of. But anyway I suppose that we will use their play as a start, rely on our own trumps and try playing quick counterattacks.