Mikhail Kobyakov: “We created big problems for the opponent in attack”

— We prepared quite scrupulously for this match, watched videos, simulated a number of aspects in the training process. In terms of defense, most of our ideas were implemented quite well - we didn’t have big gaps, there was a lot of density, we basically created big problems for Lokomotiv to attack, and they didn’t have many chances. In this regard, this is a positive thing, plus we physically withstood most of the match.

In the end we had to make substitutions, as the girls had done a lot of work and could no longer move as effectively. However, they didn’t play very well in attack. We are constantly working on this, but apparently this component is more complex and a higher level of skill is required to beat an opponent of such a level as Lokomotiv. We are working on it. We would like more, but so far we can’t burst into goals and have a lot of technical defects in the attacking phase.

For complete information about the starting lineups and events of the meeting, see the match center.