Lombaerts interview. Nicholas Lombaerts: “At Zenit no one will say that I’m an asshole. - We thought for a long time

Nicolas Lombaerts: Belgium is the cesspool of European football

On the eve of Zenit's first home match in the Champions League, the Belgian defender of the St. Petersburg team, Nicholas Lombaerts, gave an interview to SSF - about the strengths of Gent, for which Lombaerts played for three years, the reasons for the uneven play of the Zenit team and the benefits/harms of the limit.

Nicholas LOMBERTS
Born March 20, 1985 in Bruges, Belgium.
Defender. 188 cm, 83 kg.
Career: played for the Belgian Gent (2004–2007), at Zenit since 2007. He played 76 matches in the Belgian championships and scored 1 goal. In the Russian championships - 173 matches (9 goals).
Achievements: champion of Russia (2007, 2010, 2012, 2015), winner of the Cup (2010) and Russian Super Cup (2008, 2011, 2015). Winner of the UEFA Cup (2008).
National team: Since 2006, he has played 35 matches (3 goals) for the Belgian national team.

“MORDOVIA COULD PLAY SMARTER AGAINST CSKA”

In the life of every person there are special years, rich in anniversaries. For Nicholas Lombaerts, 2015 was such a special year. In March, the Belgian celebrated his 30th birthday, in May he took part in the festivities marking Zenit’s 90th birthday, and in September he played his 250th anniversary match with the St. Petersburg club. By the way, this is a record figure among all foreign players who have ever played for Zenit.

– 250 games for one team is a lot, Nicholas.
– It’s really quite a lot for Russia. In the championships of England, Spain and Italy there are 20 teams each, and in our league there are only 16. It turns out that there are a maximum of 30 games per season, plus European cups and the cup. At the same time, I missed a year and a half due to injuries. Of course, I am happy that I achieved such a result.

– Next goal – 500?
– I’m afraid you can forget even about 400 matches, I’m already too old. But getting to the 300-game mark is quite possible. Nice number. Let's assume that this is my next goal.

– After the game with Amkar, the fans congratulated you by singing a touching song called “Nicholas Lombaerts”. What does it feel like when the stadium sings in your honor?
- Goosebumps all over my body. It's so cool when the fans shout your name. So, I became one of them for them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t beat Amkar that day, so I rejoiced with restraint and quickly went to the locker room. If we had won, I would, of course, have stayed longer with our fans.

– What is happening with Zenit? Why such instability?
– To some extent it’s a lack of luck, and to some extent it’s a busy schedule of matches. These are all little things that can affect the result.

– It seems there are still problems with motivation.
- Maybe. But first of all, we have problems with teams that, when they arrive at Petrovsky, ten men stand in the penalty area. They are waiting for only one thing - an opportunity to counterattack. And Valencia, for example, tried to play football, giving us space for quick attacks.

We need to unite and start winning against “small” teams. The same three points are awarded for a victory over Amkar as for a victory over CSKA. It's one thing when you lost to an equal opponent who this moment I just turned out to be stronger. But losing points in games with Krylia and Amkar, with all due respect to them, is unacceptable.

It just so happens that now everything is stacked against us. Amkar had only one chance, and they capitalized on it. For some reason it seems to me that last season such a ball would not have gone into the goal. It's time to bring back your luck. And it is advisable to start a successful series with victories over Spartak and Gent.

– So far, luck is on the side of your main competitor, CSKA.
– 6:4 in Saransk is an incredible result. But Mordovia could have played smarter. You lead 3:0, while playing in the majority. How can you grab the second one in such a situation? yellow card, having equalized the lineups?! Just stupid. If this removal had not happened, Mordovia would almost certainly have won the match. But in a game of 10 vs 10 class CSKA players decided everything.

– Some hotheads have already given the title to the army team. Your answer to the experts?
– I believe in Zenit. If you don’t believe and give up, then it’s better for everyone to disperse right now and go on vacation. Two years ago, CSKA was 11 points behind us, and at a later stage of the tournament. And yet they became champions. Imagine the same scenario, only the characters have switched places. Why not? We are Zenit. There are not many changes in the team compared to last season, which means we are capable of playing at the same level. It’s just time to start winning “easy” games.

“NO ONE PLAYS IN THE RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIP LIKE GENT”

– In recent days, there has probably been no end to Belgian journalists?
- There are a lot of calls. And that's okay. After all, I played for Gent for several years.

– The most popular Belgian question about Zenit?
– To be honest, journalists are not very interested in Zenit specifically. Behind last years We met Anderlecht twice, Standard Liege twice more, so in Belgium the club's capabilities are well known. Mostly questions like “What is it like to play against former team?”, “What do you expect from returning to Belgium?”, “What do people in Russia think about Ghent?”

– There is a feeling that people in Russia consider Gent to be an outsider of the group.
- And in vain. The team spent most of the match against Lyon in the minority, but managed to snatch a draw. This good result.

– What is the strength of the Belgians?
– In coordinated team actions. Gent has, of course, some great players, but they are far from stars.

– Who in Russia plays similar football?
- Comparisons are inappropriate because Gent, as a rule, plays in a 3-4-3 formation. IN Russian championship Nobody uses this model. Although against Lyon they switched to a 4-3-3. You can expect anything from this team; they often change their playing model.

– Is the “bus in front of the penalty” model used?
- No, they don’t play like that. Gent is trying to play football and keep the ball down. Despite the fact that there is a powerful, tall guy in the attack (Laurent Depoitre is 191 cm tall - Ed.), they hardly use long passes and throws. I hope that the team will not betray itself at Petrovsky.

– Do you know what detail catches your eye when you look at the Ghent squad?
– This is a typical Belgian feature, just look at all the other teams in the championship. There are no strict restrictions on foreign players. Because of this, Belgium has become the cesspool of European football.

They will gather thirty foreigners on the cheap and hope that at least two of them will be able to make themselves known. And then they make money by selling them to some top championship. The current situation is the main shame of Belgian football. Local youth get virtually no chances and are forced to go abroad.

– It’s hard to believe that everything is so bad, because the Belgian national team consists entirely of stars.
– The current generation is the most talented in the history of Belgian football. The fact that all these guys were born at the same time in such a small country is more luck than the result of any meticulous work. If you pay attention, the vast majority of the national team players play in foreign championships.

The Belgians want more of their players to play in their clubs, but the clubs themselves prefer foreign players. I have nothing against foreigners, I just feel bad for the young Belgian guys. I have many Belgian friends whose level is no worse than these foreign players. But they are not given a chance, because it is much cheaper to support a foreigner in Belgium.

“THE WORLD CUP IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS BEFORE. YOU LATE"

– It turns out that the Russian limit is not so bad idea?
– The Dutch system is closer to me. There, for players from countries outside the EU, a minimum wage is established. And this is quite significant money. Thus, clubs take only high-quality foreigners. In Belgium there are also restrictions on salaries, but we are talking about mere pennies: the amounts are five times less than in the Dutch championship. You can take everyone cheaply, and then, if you suddenly come across one or two talents, sell them to Europe. This is business.

– What’s wrong with the Russian “6+5”?
– It’s strange that the rule was introduced a week before the start of the championship. The clubs had already acquired foreigners, and then they suddenly had to get rid of other foreign players in order to meet the new limit. There was no time to change anything, and it all looked stupid. If the decision on the new limit had been announced a year or two before its introduction, the clubs would have had time to rebuild. Buy Russians, sell foreigners.

– You’ve been living in Russia for a long time, Nicholas. What “year or two” are you talking about?
- I know I know. But this doesn't seem like a very smart solution to me. Of course, I will be happy for you if, thanks to the limit, the level of the national team increases, but I’m not sure that this will happen. You already knew five years ago that the World Championships were being held in Russia. So why didn’t they take care of a proper limit five years ago? Young players would get more match practice and help the national team. But now it’s too late to change anything! There are less than three years left until the World Cup. You late.

In general, it doesn’t matter to me whether there is this limit or not. It does not affect playing time. My competitors are also foreigners, so I don't care.

- Yes, there is a problem with central defenders in Russia.
– And it’s strange. CSKA is lucky that they have two guys in the center. But where are the young Russian defenders? I hope they will appear in the future.

"SPARTAK" - OPPONENT No. 1"

– Will you understand if Gent fans boo you during the game?
– Such a situation is impossible in principle. I left the team very peacefully and never faced any aggressive reaction regarding this. Everyone understood each other.

– What if you move to Anderlecht?
– Some conversations can only arise if I end up in Brugge. For Gent this is the main competitor.

– Is Spartak still the main competitor for Zenit?
– For all Zenit players, coaches and fans, Spartak was and remains the most irreconcilable rival. This is par for the course. It has always been this way, and I think it will be the same in 10–20 years.

– It’s strange, considering that you usually fight with CSKA for the title.
– It’s the same story in Belgium. Brugge have not won the league in ten years, but are still the main rivals for Gent and Anderlecht. These are traditions, and nothing can be done about them. It doesn’t matter to me what place Spartak is in, first, second or twelfth - they will still be the team’s No. 1 opponent.

– Are you glad that Dziuba no longer plays for Spartak?
– Well, have I ever had problems in matches against him (laughs)? Dzyuba – good player.

"YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE"

– Villas-Boas announced that he will leave the team after the end of the season. Did you expect such a turn?
– The coach had a year left on his contract, and he did not renew it. So what's surprising here? It seems to me that it is easier for a coach to change teams than for a player. If Villas-Boas believes that this is what is best for him, then I only support his decision.

– Some experts criticize the coach for announcing his decision so early. They say this will negatively affect the atmosphere in the team. Is there such a problem?
– I can’t speak for other players, but personally, the coach’s announcement didn’t bother me at all. I don't feel any more vulnerable or less motivated than before.

– What actually happened to Sunderland in July? Did you actually fail the medical examination?
- No, nothing like that. There was interest from the club, but I'm still at Zenit. That's it, end of story. Let them write what they want, but I don’t want to waste any more time discussing this topic.

– This year, the Belgian media regularly write notes that you would like to move to another championship. How are things really going?
– In fact, I am a Zenit player and am completely focused on playing for the club. I don't like to think ahead. You only live once, so enjoy life. Who knows what will happen in six months? Perhaps I'll get into a car accident and die? So I'll just try and give it my all in every game. And if I find myself on the bench, I will work with even greater dedication. That's my whole plan.

THE HISTORY OF ONE PHOTO

Note to fans planning to attend the away game against Ghent: right at the stadium you can have a snack and drink beer in the cafeteria named after... Nicholas Lombaerts.

– 14 cafeterias were built on the territory of the arena, and each of them bears the name former player club,” said Nicholas. – Among them there is a bar named after Nicholas Lombaerts. I don't have any income from this. I know that the beer they sell there is delicious. At least my father praised it.

The meeting with Krasnodar was the Belgian’s 289th in 10 years as part of the blue-white-blue team.

Lombaerts started professional career in "Ghent", which at that time did not claim to high places in the Belgian Championship. By the age of 22, Niko had outgrown the level of his first club, and they began to actively take an interest in him from abroad. Lombaerts received offers from Germany and Dynamo Moscow, but the young defender chose Zenit. In St. Petersburg, Nicholas entered the starting lineup just a few days after his transfer due to the huge number of injured defenders. Then Lombaerts, who violated the rules in his own penalty area, was rescued by Malafeev, who took a penalty, and Zenit celebrated a victory over Rostov - 2:0.

That season, Lombaerts managed to play 13 matches in the Russian Championship, scoring two goals and playing in full for the legendary match in Ramenskoye, which brought Zenit its first national title in 23 years. Almost 10 years later, Nicholas calls this the most memorable moment in his eventful career.

In 2008, Nicholas played only five matches for Zenit, but despite this, it was that year that all the team’s fans realized that this player was truly one of their own. February 21 at return match UEFA Cup against Villarreal, Lombaerts made a bold leap to score Pavel Pogrebnyak, who scored the decisive goal in the series. In that episode, the defender himself hit the goal post hard with his knee and left the field on a stretcher. His valuable contribution to winning the UEFA Cup cost Nico almost a year of playing football.

Health problems continued for Lombaerts and next year, But a real fighter Niko dealt with them, and since then Zenit fans have only talked about the defender’s ever-improving performance, and not about his injury history. In 2009, Dick Advocaat left the team, but Luciano Spalletti, who took his place in the person of Lombaerts, found a key player in his defensive formations for the entire time he was at the helm of the team. A year later, Lombaerts again played in full the “golden” match for Zenit, this time on his own field.

A year later, Nico was an important part of the team that achieved the historic result of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League. At that group stage, the Belgian scored the only goal in the home match against Shakhtar, and together with Malafeev and the rest of his defensive partners in decisive match held back the onslaught of Porto. Even though Zenit was unable to overcome the barrier of the 1/8 finals of the main European Cup that winter, they already won their fourth championship title in its history, and Niko was recognized as the best foreign player in the RFPL.

In the 2014/15 campaign, when Andre Villas-Boas was already leading the team, Lombaerts continued to be practically indispensable in Zenit’s defensive formations. His partnership with Ezequiel Garay was perhaps the strongest in the history of the Russian championships, which was reflected in the statistics: Zenit conceded only 17 goals in 30 matches, and only twice in the season did the blue-white-blue opponents score more than one goal per game . By that time, Lombaerts was not only a key player in the team, but also more than once led his teammates to the game with the captain's armband. Modest Niko said in various interviews that he does not attach much importance to this, because for him the main thing is the team’s victory.

For 10 years, Lombaerts won the love of St. Petersburg residents and the respect of fans of other teams not only with his level of play and dedication on the field, but also with many actions outside of it. If Niko missed matches, he could sometimes be seen in the fan sector along with active fans of the team: he called himself a fan of “old school” cheering - with songs, banners and flares. In 10 years, the polyglot Lombaerts managed to add Russian to his impressive collection of languages, in which he can communicate without any difficulties. Niko became one of the main popularizers of Russia abroad, speaking only warm words about our country, and especially St. Petersburg, in all interviews. And it’s unlikely that many foreigners will be able to perform the Russian anthem the way Lombaerts once did on Match TV.

At the end of this season, Niko will leave Zenit, moving to only his third club in his career, the Belgian Oostende. But, perhaps, very soon he will return to Russia for the World Cup - as part of the Belgian national team.

Nicholas Lombaerts for 10 years at Zenit:

Four-time Russian champion
Two-time winner of the Russian Cup
UEFA Cup winner
UEFA Super Cup winner
Four-time winner of the Russian Super Cup
5 times on the list 33 the best football players RFPL
Best foreign player of the Russian Championship - 2011/12

Santos Verhulst, the agent of Zenit defender Nicholas Lombaerts, said that the head coach of the St. Petersburg club Mircea Lucescu did not fulfill his promise to release the player to another team

Photo: Zenit official website

Head coach Zenit Mircea Lucescu did not fulfill his promise to release Belgian defender Nicolas Lombaerts to another team. This was stated by the player's agent Santosh Verhulst. According to him, Lucescu promised to release Lombaerts if the club finds a new defender. On Wednesday, Zenit signed a contract with Branislav Ivanovic, who previously played for Chelsea.

“Initially Lucescu promised that Lombaerts would be able to leave if Ivanovic was signed, but he did not keep his word. We are disappointed. But Nicholas is a professional and will continue to work at Zenit. We hope we can find a solution by the summer transfer window,” Verhulsta was quoted as saying by the Championship.

Last week The Sun reported interest in Lombaerts from West Brom. According to the publication, the club, which ranks eighth in standings English Championship, offered Zenit €5.9 million for Belgian football player. Voetbal Belgium previously reported that the defender is on the short lists of four Belgian clubs - Anderlecht, Brugge, Gent and Oostende.

Last June the former sports director Zenit's Henk van Stee said that Lombaerts is ready to take a significant salary cut in order to leave the St. Petersburg club. According to Sports.ru, Lombaerts' salary last year was €2 million.

“Lomberts really wants to return to Western Europe. For this, he is ready to take a significant salary cut. Leading Dutch clubs can sign a contract with Lombaerts on the terms that he considers acceptable. Not only Ajax and PSV, but also Feyenoord. On the other hand, the transfer amount that Zenit put forward could be a problem,” Van Stee was quoted as saying by the Dutch publication AD.

Lomberts moved to Zenit from the Belgian Gent in the summer of 2007. His contract with the St. Petersburg club expires at the end of the 2017/2018 season. Over ten seasons, Lombaerts played 286 games for Zenit, scored 11 goals and made six assists. As part of the St. Petersburg team, he became a four-time champion of Russia, a two-time winner of the Russian Cup and a three-time winner of the country's Super Cup, won the 2008 UEFA Cup and the 2008 UEFA Super Cup.

Lomberts has been playing for the Belgian national team since 2006. Included national team The 31-year-old defender made 39 appearances and scored three goals. He did not go to Euro 2016 due to an injury received in mid-May during the warm-up before the match of the 28th round of the Russian Championship against Mordovia Saransk (3:0).

Earlier, Lombaerts, in an interview with Sport-Express, said that he feels like he belongs in Russia. According to the footballer, he would like to stay in Russia after his career ends. The Belgian's wife opposes this decision.

“I feel half Russian. Considering the situation with the United States and refugees, I can now call myself an opponent of the EU, although I previously thought it was a good idea. I love Russia, I feel at home here. I used to strive to go to Belgium whenever possible, but now this is no longer the case. If my wife had agreed, I would have stayed in St. Petersburg even after finishing my career. But she doesn't want to. I’m currently building a house in Belgium, so I’ll go back there anyway,” Lombaerts said.

Lombaerts is in the starting lineup for the first time since October last year. Fontanka spoke with a team veteran, who spent 10 years on the banks of the Neva and returns to Belgium in the summer, about what this third of his life was like.

Vyacheslav Evdokimov/ FC Zenit

- To be honest, I don’t remember when you were in the starting lineup last time.

- December. Game against AZ on the road. 4 months have passed. Strange feeling.

- When did you find out that you would start?

– Lucescu told me two days ago. Like, you trained well, get ready. At least be prepared in your head. That was nice to hear.

- Why do you think Lucescu decided this?

- I don't know. Don't ask me, I'm interested myself. You understand that sometimes it’s better not to ask. I was happy that I got to play one more match for Zenit. I want to finish my era at Zenit well, I give my best in training. Let’s put it this way: I’ve always given my best, but especially now, because I understand that the end is near. Today was a beautiful day.

- How did the option with Ostend arise?

– In the summer, the most realistic options were Besiktas and Anderlecht, the Belgians negotiated until the last day.

- So you could have played against Zenit in February?

- Yes! I had my chances. But in the end no agreement was reached. Apparently Anderlecht didn't want me enough. If Oostende could buy me, then Anderlecht could too. I was surprised that in the end the Ostend representatives were able to come to an agreement. Club president Mark Cook is crazy in the good sense of the word. He had the best cycling team in Belgium. He is an Oostende fan with almost half a century of experience, he sold his pharmaceutical company to the Americans, and invests the money in Belgium. Cook bought the club and wants to fight for the championship. Oostende had already had a good season: the cup final, lost on penalties, should have been won.

- Can you give me a short tour of Ostend? And about Ostend?

– The club does not have such a rich history; the club was founded in 1981. Silvio Proto in goal, played against Zenit for Anderlecht. David Rozegnal, former defender of the Czech national team. The team captain is Sebastian Siani, who plays for the African champions, Cameroon. Excellent striker Dimata, Belgian, 19 years old. I think it will be difficult to keep him in the squad: clubs from England and Germany already want to buy him. Now in Belgium he is one of the brightest talents. I would also mention Knowleja Musona, number 11, player of the Zimbabwe national team. The head coach is Yves Vanderhage, he was a member of the Belgian national team, and was a player in the best Anderlecht team over the last 20-30 years. That Anderlecht had an excellent Euro campaign, they played against Real Madrid, Manchester United, Lazio.

- I can now see how young Nicholas Lombaerts watches these games.

- Yes. I've always been a Club Brugge fan, but my father got tickets for the Anderlecht game against Real Madrid. Anderlecht won 2:0, and I was in the stands with my father. Jan Koller came on as a substitute, and then I played against him in the match against Wings. year 2001.

- And the city?

- On the coast. 80 thousand people.

- This is a village, uncle.

– Yes, by Russian standards it’s a village. But a little more lives in Bruges, 120 thousand people. In Belgium, the real cities are Brussels and Antwerp. There is a harbor in Ostend. Not very big.

- Will Caroline and her daughter be in Bruges?

- Yes. And I. 15 minutes drive. It's very close, that was one of the main reasons: I can live in my own house.

- Today you once again played against Rubin. Was it difficult to get into the game?

- Not really. Rubin always plays open football.

- After Berdyev left the club, yes.

- Agree. There was a lot of space. On the left for Mimmo, on the right for Tsallagov, there were opportunities for serves, and that’s how we scored the first goal. For me personally, the question was: how will I play after a 4-month break. I had good feelings after the friendly match with Ufa; it was the necessary preparation. It was nice that it was at Petrovsky, it felt like a real game. Today, by the way, there were almost more Zenit fans than Rubin fans.

- Today you played in a completely new defensive line. Ivanovich and Tsallagov. How is it?

- Everything went well. We didn't give Rubin any opportunities. Of course, at the end of the match they put pressure, we played in the minority.

- You knocked the ball out from under Jonatas’s foot in a tackle, it seemed that you risked earning a penalty.

- Yes. But I was absolutely sure that I would play the ball. He looked at the judge and exhaled. Everything ended well.

- What is it like to play with Ivanovic on the right?

– I liked playing with Neto. Before that, with Garay. I don't feel much difference. Ivanovic is an experienced footballer and is easy to play with. I hope he can say the same about me. By the way, if Anyukov came out today, I think this would be the oldest defensive line in the history of Zenit. Everyone would be over 30.

- And with Zhirkov!

- Yes. But the season is not over yet.

- Today you went into a long tackle.

– By the way, did I hit a player?

– I didn’t feel it at all.

Naturally, all professional football players feel nothing at such a moment. By the way, you weren’t given a penalty in the second half when the ball hit your hand.

– When did it bounce off the hip? Of course it wasn't.

- You are leaving Zenit, this is a tender moment, I have tears in my eyes.

– Yes, 50 days left. I don't know. Emotions are not overtaking me yet. But I'm starting to understand that the end is near. So emotions are inevitable. This is what I felt today: last game in Kazan, and I played here many times. I try to enjoy everything, including training. I'm not complaining about anything. I go to the center and enjoy the beauty of the city, buildings, embankments. I think that in 50 days it will be a very emotional day and I will also have tears in my eyes. My wife laughs at me because I will cry, but that’s life. A third of my life was spent in St. Petersburg. I will miss you very much. For me this is home. It will be strange not to be here. I will often come to games, to the Champions League.

- Look at Tymoshchuk...

– I'm not sure if this is an option. My wife will be surprised: it’s one thing to come occasionally. Children and family must be at home.

- What, by the way, are Tymoshchuk’s tasks?

- He talks to the players. He is a kind of bridge between the coaching staff and the team. He played here, he remembers a lot of people. Keeps everyone on their toes.

- 10 years at Zenit. I remember how you started in the match against Rostov in 2007. Were you 22?

– Yes, 22. The start was so-so. I earned a penalty for Rostov. I am very grateful to Slava Malafeev for saving that penalty. I think I only trained with the team for a week. And I was included in the squad because all the defensive players were disqualified. I played with Gorshkov in the center. On the right is Shirl. On the left is Lebedev, from the youth team. A completely new line of defense.

- Just like today.

- Yes. I hope it wasn't mine last match Today. The game with Rostov was in the summer, it was raining, I thought: “Damn it, is the weather like this all year round?”

- Did you like the stadium? I understand that your adrenaline was fine.

- The stands were singing. Was nice atmosphere. Not the most beautiful stadium, but it felt like we could beat anyone in such a stadium. I still have that feeling at Petrovsky. There were fireworks, real hardcore and old school, I really liked it. Yes, I understand that pyrotechnics are dangerous, and that is why they are prohibited. But. I think it was the game against CSKA, when the pyrotechnics were lit for the last time, and I smelled this smell. This smell always speeds me up, this smell always speeds up the game. A pause of about 5 minutes is no big deal. As long as there is no danger, as long as no one throws pyrotechnics at other fans, I’m comfortable.

- Did you hear that the fans were chanting your name today?

- Yes, two or three times. This gives me goosebumps. It's an honor to be so respected by the fans, especially the away fans. This is why leaving here will be so difficult for me.

- You went to the bend, didn’t you?

- Yes, for the game against Rostov. Just don't ask what year it was. I was traumatized. Or disqualified. The game is not visible there. They jump and sing. But it doesn’t matter whether the match is visible or not, this mood gives the players an acceleration.

- 10 years in another country. 300 matches?

– Today was 287th. It's not very much. In Russia there are only 30 games in the home season.

- If your daughter asks: “Dad, name the best five games you played for Zenit.”

– 2009, at home, against Spartak. Husti was sent off, I scored. Davydov was the head coach, it was a difficult season, and in the end - bronze medals. We won with Spartak in 2008 at Luzhniki, 3:1. My second game since returning from injury. There were so many Zenit fans! After the game, Tymoshchuk, Krizanac, and I went to calm down the fans, and there was a conflict with the police. The fans then drew a banner with gratitude. Of course, the match with Saturn. Wild game. That's how we played! It's stress. Pressure. We scored a goal thanks to a rebound. And then this is the rescue of Dominguez! I think it was the most intense game for me: the first time you play for the championship. So many fans! It seemed to me that only Zenit fans were in the stands. In terms of football content, not the best match, but emotions! The fourth was Villarreal, when I passed the ball to Pogrebnyak, and Zenit eventually won the UEFA Cup. It was important point for my career, I was out for 1.5 years, it was the worst time in my life. But that program helped win the European Cup, and fans still thank me for that when they meet. A bad and a good memory at the same time. Fifth? So...

- Maybe you haven't played it yet?

- Yes. May be. Shakhtar at Petrovsky! Medvedev in the stands, President of Ukraine. And I scored Lucescu.

- What do you say to the fans goodbye?

– I will say that it was a great honor for me to play for such a team as Zenit. I will say that you are the best fans in the world, fans for whom supporting Zenit is part of their lives. I spent the best 10 years of my career at Zenit. I felt your respect, I will miss you, and when I come to St. Petersburg, I will again find myself on a bend.

Interviewed by Fedor Pogorelov, Fontanka.ru

In an interview with R-Sport correspondent Taras Barabash, he expressed his opinion about the situation in Belgium, Muslims coming to Europe, the role of Russia in the future of Europe, and also described the position of the United States in seeing the situation in the world and noted what the problems of modern Europeans are.

- Nicholas, in November terrorist attacks shook Paris, and in March it happened in Belgium. Why is this happening?

Yes, now this has affected me too, because if I go to Belgium, I go to the airport, including Brussels, where I have been hundreds of times. This could have happened to me because I was there the day before and my father-in-law was there a couple of hours on the day of the attack. At such moments you begin to realize how fragile your security is. When you see it on TV, you think that this will never happen to you.

Why is this happening in France, Belgium, and throughout Europe? There were attacks in both London and Madrid. Now this has happened in Belgium and France. Now in Belgium, especially in Brussels, there is a problem with extremists, Muslims. They live there, they can do whatever they want, no one bothers them. This problem is 20 years old: they don't have to adapt to our culture, it's like a ghetto. They live there, they don't have to learn French, Dutch or German. They feel like they can't get the job they want, they don't get the chances that Belgians have, they think we're racist. But I think it's funny because they get all the opportunities, the chances. When they come to Belgium, they receive money from us to live a normal life. They get everything they want. But for some of them it's easier to think that "if you blow yourself up, you'll get seven virgins": those who are stupid enough to believe in such things.

The Belgians, the French, and Europeans in general are now too open. Take the Syrian crisis: the Americans and the British stirred up this mess in Iraq, and now we have problems. When we try to do something, we are too politically correct, we are afraid that they will start accusing us of racism, for example. We're too nice, that's our problem.

I'm disgusted by racism

- Do you think it was the right decision to open the borders of Europe to refugees?

Some of them - of course! People who are really in danger. I absolutely understand these people. If I found myself in such a situation, I would also look better life. But it is impossible for Europe to cope with all the millions of people striving to join our society.

I think we need to take care of those who are in the worst situation: those in Syria, who are blown up by members of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS, banned in the Russian Federation), terrorist groups. We must find a solution for them. I hope that the problems in Syria and Iraq will be resolved soon. I want it as soon as possible. Then we will have to invest money in those countries so that people can return to their countries and live a good life there. Nobody likes to come here (to Europe) if it’s not necessary.

Those millions that we spend on those people who come, we should spend on peace and development in their countries in order to organize a safe life there, at home. People want to live at home, but if they don’t have a home, then I understand them, absolutely.

Politicians are now saying that Europe is too kind: so many benefits are provided to refugees, but what will happen to them next is unknown. The European nation may be in danger of degeneration...

I’m also a little afraid of this, I don’t know if this problem will be that big. After the war, in the 50s, Belgium accepted many people from Italy, Eastern Europe, Greece to work in the mines. We didn't want to do the dirty work and accepted them. Including Moroccans. But now it’s a different story: there are no jobs like in the 50s. Now people think differently: they are taking our jobs. I don’t agree with all of this, but I’m more concerned about the difference between our cultures. There are Muslims who grow up in Muslim countries, sometimes under Sharia law. If refugees bring this with them to Europe, then the likelihood of clashes on religious and cultural grounds is very high.

- There are a lot of Muslims in Russia, people of different religions live side by side with each other...

I don’t have any problems with Muslims, I have friends among them, but many migrants from the Middle East do not yet really recognize our values ​​when they come to live with us. We have a separation between state and religion. We have a free country, you don't have to believe in anything. Let me emphasize that I have no problems with the perception of any religion. And I am disgusted by manifestations of racism, for example. But I am a little afraid for my native society. We have fought for our rights for too long to lose everything in one moment due to an ill-conceived policy with migrants.

We can't let terrorists gain the upper hand

If we talk about the level of security in and around stadiums in Russia, the situation is generally very stable. In February, I had the opportunity to attend a Champions League match between PSG and Chelsea in Paris. I can say with full responsibility that there is practically no inspection there; you can take a lot with you to the Parc des Princes...

We're not used to this. When my friends come here and see so many police near Petrovsky, they say: “Wow, what’s wrong here?” Many people do not want this because they live in a free society, and if they see this, they will think that they live in a military society. On the one hand, I understand them, but, for example, take our airport: it was too open, you could enter it and check in for a flight without going through security control. This is problem. Now they want to completely change everything. We cannot let the terrorists win. They are trying to destabilize our society and the situation in the country. Look, now many tourists are afraid to go to Belgium. It's a shame, this is a bad situation for our economy. Even my little hometown of Bruges is now experiencing problems due to terrorist attacks. Tourists are canceling trips to Bruges. We cannot allow terrorists to take over and be afraid every day.

Don't you think that Europe should unite with Russia in the fight against terrorism? Russia's role in this war is enormous, but the United States does not think so...

It’s really strange to me that Russians and Europeans are so opposed to each other. I believe we need each other for many reasons. Europe needs Russia, and Russia needs Europe for many other reasons. We need each other to maintain peace. The USA is trying to be the world's policeman, to control the whole world. When they are not involved in something, they feel uncomfortable. Russia is trying to be a strong opponent again, but everyone must work together, given the situation in Syria.

We need Russia more than other countries. We must be allies not only with Russia, but also with other countries in order to find a way out in the fight against extremists and terrorists. We fight the same enemies. Many say there will be a third World War with Russia, but this won’t scare me: I live here and I understand for sure that Russia is not interested in confrontation and wants peace. Now it’s like a small cold war again. I do not know why. I think there are much more serious problems than this. Problems of managing the world.

I love Zenit and St. Petersburg

Considering your age, 31, we can conclude that you can play until you are 40, like Javier Sanetti or Paolo Maldini. Can you imagine that one day you will finish your career at Zenit?

Yes, I tried “Stepan Razin”, I liked it. But it's difficult to compare because there are so many species in Belgium. You can't even compare one Belgian variety to another.

Maxim Mitrofanov, at the presentation of the branded beer, even said that the team would take it with them on trips so that the players could undergo doping control faster...

This is cool! This good decision. You're dehydrated after a game, and beer always helps.

FIFA told R-Sport that there have been no positive results for meldonium since the beginning of the year, but this is now a serious problem in Russia. In hockey, tennis, Olympic sports. Does this somehow characterize Russia or is it bad luck?

I don't think this can be called bad luck. Experts and athletes themselves must monitor what an athlete can take and what not. I don't think it's a big problem, and it's not that hard to keep track of. But decisions to ban this or that drug, it seems to me, sometimes look really strange. What if tomorrow the list of prohibited drugs includes, say, alcohol?

Fedun made a good choice

- The gap from CSKA is only three points. Are Zenit ready to fight for the championship?

Of course, we are performing very successfully now. I hope we will continue in the same spirit. Like CSKA a couple of years ago, when they won ten matches in a row. If we manage to win all the remaining matches, I think we will become champions. But it won't be easy. "Rostov" is a very well-organized team, they keep a clean sheet and know how to counter-attack. Their coach knows how to lead a team to the championship, he has already done this with Rubin, he is experienced. There is also CSKA, Lokomotiv are on the move, all the teams are next to each other in the table. For the first time since I've been here, there are so many teams vying for the championship. Usually there are a maximum of three clubs fighting for victory, but now there are four or five. There is also Terek, which is quite a bit behind, and Krasnodar. On the other hand, each of these teams will still play each other, we need to win top matches.

Isn’t it funny that Kurban Berdyev coaches Rostov, and not a top club. Leonid Fedun had to choose between Dmitry Alenichev and Kurban Berdyev, judging by media reports, he made his choice.

A good choice, apparently (laughs)! I'm not saying anyone is a bad coach. Sometimes a lot depends on luck. Berdyev achieved success with Rubin, then he was without a team, and now he is successful with Rostov. This means that he is a really good specialist.

Let's imagine: if Berdyev leads a top club, will he play attacking football or the same defensive football as Rostov?

I don't know what his methods are. But there is a good chance that his team will be strong in organizing the game. At Rubin he had very strong players, Rubin was a top club. He would start with the organization, but if you have strong attacking players at your disposal, he could play more attacking football.

- What are your expectations from Euro 2016?

It will be interesting, because we are playing in a strong group with teams from Italy, Sweden, and Ireland. The first match is against Italy, I hope we win, otherwise the pressure on us will be even greater. We can go far, we can even win the Euro if everything goes right. Luck is also necessary. We may fail, but I hope this will not happen. With this team we must go far, at least to the quarterfinals or semifinals. We can be happy with ourselves if we reach the semi-finals. I’m not saying that we will reach it, but we can already play against Germany in the quarterfinals, and Germany is strong. All the players from the German, Spanish and English national teams play in the leading championships, but I hope that the Belgians have high expectations.

Just last week your team became second in the FIFA rankings, and before that it was first. This is an achievement.

This is incredible for us, for such a small country. This is a huge achievement and I am proud to play on this team. This may be the only time in history that Belgium has been on top. I hope that this is still ahead of us, but now I’m proud of my team.