Press Conference «Torpedo – Neftekhimik» 3/16/2026
16.03.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 6–3 win over Traktor.
– The game was quite goal–scoring, with plenty of dangerous moments and goals scored. I think the fans enjoyed it. Of course, the home team losing wasn't very pleasant for them, but we were more successful in terms of scoring. The guys played with joy and enthusiasm, so congratulations on their victory; it was a good game.– Was the plan to wait for the opponent to make mistakes?
– A game is made up of mistakes and the capitalization of those moments when the opponent makes mistakes, and the other team capitalizes on them. Today, it turned out that we punished the opponent for their mistakes, although they also punished us for our, so to speak, indirect mistakes and penalties. It's good that the guys reacted well to it and scored goals later, too, and ultimately won.
– Nikita Artamonov doesn't score often. Today he played on the third line and scored three points. How can this be explained? Was it the former team's influence?
– He actually hasn't scored very many goals for us this season. But I think he also scored in the last game against Torpedo. I don't know how it works, but thank God he scored today. Well, maybe this will give him some momentum. Nikita is working hard, trying. And let's hope that this will give him some confidence.
– Speaking about the last few games, your three lines have been stable. It's Khoruzhev's line that you're looking for wingers. Can we say you've found them, or are you still searching?
– Well, yes, I agree with you. We'd like to see that kind of interaction. From the coaching staff's perspective, we're missing some chemistry—creative chemistry, specifically. We don't want the guys to just destroy; we want more creative play. So we're trying to find some options. Today was a success, and God willing, it will be the same in future games.
– Two foreign players went on the road, but they're not in the lineup. After the Far East trip, they didn't make the roster. What's the reason for that?
– Profaca simply got injured, he's not quite ready. He needs to recover a bit before the playoffs, to heal up, so to speak. We gave him the opportunity to rest today so he'll be healthier for the playoffs. And Joseph, given his playing ability, simply didn't make the roster.
– So, just because he's a foreign player doesn't guarantee a spot on the roster?
– Of course not. It does not matter if a player is foreign one or not. The best ones play.
