Lokomotiv rugby player Daniil Potikhanov, in a conversation with Match TV, shared his insights on the team`s performance during the first part of the season and outlined their upcoming plans.
On the Season Start and the Draw with Dynamo
“It was the first match of the season, and we prepared very seriously for Dynamo. They are a young, ambitious team that strengthened during the offseason. Neither side could find a breach in the opposition’s defense for a long time, which is why the first scoring play only happened in the second half. I believe it was a combination of factors: challenging weather conditions and low conversion rates for our opportunities. Overall, it was a hard-fought match, but it`s certainly a pity we couldn`t clinch the win.”
On the Causes of Instability and Goals for the Second Half of the Season
“We clearly identify the reasons for our inconsistent play – our post-match analyses confirm this. The first reason is discipline. We accumulated far too many penalties and cards. In the `Baltika` disciplinary ranking, we are currently in last place, which is completely uncharacteristic of Lokomotiv. The second reason is injuries. Before the match against Yenisey-STM, we lost 6-7 key players. In the game against Krasny Yar, we had a terrible start, conceding two quick tries, and spent the entire match trying to catch up. Against Strela, we were on track with our plan, but then key players got injured, making it very difficult.
Currently, the team has resumed training after a break. We are implementing structural changes and experimenting with new player combinations. In the second half of the season, we absolutely must win every match – we`ve already given up too much.”
Preparing for the PARI Russian Cup Semifinal
“The match against Krasny Yar is critically important. Our determination is sky-high; everyone understands there won`t be a second chance. We want to exact revenge for that game in Krasnoyarsk, which we failed to perform in from the very beginning. It`s a bonus that the semifinal will be played at home, at Mordovia Arena. Our goal is to reach the final and play at VTB Arena. We are currently refining details, improving our physical condition, and re-establishing connections. Our fighting spirit is strong.”
On Winning the Magnet Russian Rugby-7 Cup
“Before the tournament, we only had a few training sessions – it’s quite common for us to quickly switch from fifteen-a-side to sevens. We have an experienced squad, everyone supports and advises each other. Head coach Alexander Yanyushkin provides clear instructions and sets precise objectives. He himself has experience from both the national team and international tournaments. We simply execute what’s required – and it works.
Personally, I barely had any time off – I played in the West-East match, then immediately went to the Magnet Russian Cup. I rested a little after that and then returned to duty.”
