Evgeny Mityakin: «We are preparing for the season»
16.08.2024
Neftekhimik forward Evgeny Mityakin talks about 2–4 loss against Salavat Yulaev.
– Today's result was a bit unexpected, considering that Salavat had an experimental lineup. What did not work out in the game?
– I think we failed the first period. The opponent started the match actively. In principle, it doesn't matter what lineup the opponent has. It does not matter what lineup we have. We always play to win.
– You had a pretty noticeable period: first you passed the ball to the opponent for a goal, then to your partner. What did the coach say in the locker room?
– He did not say anything. It's clear that I made a mistake in the second goal. If we talk about the assist to the partner, Vyacheslav Leshchenko opened up well. All I had to do was pass it.
– Was it felt that Leshchenko had a special attitude towards Ufa today? Maybe you could feel it in the locker room?
– These are preseason games anyway. He prepares for each match in a special way. I wouldn't say that today's game was important for him. He just wanted to play well and act correctly according to our tactics.
– To what extent do the heavy loads now affect what happens on the ice?
– They do, but everyone is in the same conditions. It is clear that everyone has a different preseason. Some have it easier, some have it harder. It doesn't matter, these are not excuses. We have to go out there through force. We are preparing for the season, the most important thing will start on September 4. Therefore, we need to practice combinations, work on tactics. No one forgets that we also need to win.
– We have already played the second match. How would you rate the organization, the level of the opponents?
– The organization is super! Everyone has good teams. Everyone is practicing their tactics, trying out different lineups, combinations. We need to go out and fulfill the coach's instructions. What he requires, what he says before the game, what we practiced at the training camp. To improve your performance on the ice with each shift.
