The CSKA forward spoke about a family vacation, an event with the Gagarin Cup in Novosibirsk and preparations for the season.
— The vacation is coming to an end. How did you manage to spend your free days?
— The vacation is going great, we managed to fly to the sea with my wife. Now we are resting in Altai. I try to spend all my free time with my wife and children. I'm slowly starting to prepare for the season. I will be glad to return from the vacation, meet with the guys.
— We've seen a lot of family photos on your social networks. Have you been energized by your loved ones?
— Yes, family is a great energy boost. It's good that there is a vacation when you can spend more time with your family. To be alone with the children, with wife, even just to go out together to eat, take a walk. It's very cool and gives a lot of positive emotions.
— A great Gagarin Cup event was organized in Novosibirsk, more than a thousand people came. Tell us more about the holiday?
— I brought the Gagarin Cup to Novosibirsk, put it on display in our city zoo. Thanks to all the organizers who helped with this. Everything went fine, although I had to stand, sign a lot. But I was glad to spend this moment with the Novosibirsk fans. It was a very positive day, and I am glad that I managed to bring the Gagarin Cup to Novosibirsk. I hope I will do it more than once.
— How did you keep in shape during your vacation. How are you preparing now?
— I think I won't say anything new here — it's ice, earth. We are slowly getting ourselves in order to be in shape for the start of the preseason.
— Official training sessions will begin in August, about five pre-season matches are planned in total. Probably, this is the optimal amount for CSKA?
— I think that in our case, five games is normal. Of course, we can play more, but we also understand that we were given a rest. We need to work on "physics", tactics — this is normal. The backbone of the team has been preserved, so five games will be enough for us to find the right moments and combinations. You need to enter the season in the best conditions to show a good game, to please your fans.
