Homeland defender Zaurbek Pliev believes that Alexander Kokorin, who plays on loan for Aris, will restore self-confidence in the Cypriot team and will play at the proper level in the Italian championship.

The rights to Kokorin belong to Fiorentina. The 31-year-old has made 21 appearances for Aris in all competitions this season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists.

– You were one of the first to support Kokorin after the incident, as a result of which he went to prison. Why then stood up for him?

– I have been on good terms with Sanya Kokorin since childhood, when we were still at the Dynamo Academy. Alan Chochiev was the first to support him, I could not stay away. Then he stumbled, but this is where friendship is manifested – in difficult moments to be there and help in any way you can.

– How often do you communicate with him now?

Now we follow each other on social networks. We write off, congratulations on your success. Sanya is a very good friend. We rarely communicate now, because he plays in another country, but he never leaves without attention. If friends ask him to sign T-shirts or record a video, he never refuses, he does everything, sends gifts.

He is very attentive and never says “no” to his surroundings. If any situation arises, Sasha will come to the rescue. He has been through a lot, so he understands how important it is to be close to his loved ones.

– How is he doing in Cyprus now?

– I am glad that he is now gaining form, playing consistently and scoring goals. Sasha is now restarting her career. I am sure that he will return to the previous level. For me, he is one of the best RPL strikers. I have no doubt that he will return to Fiorentina. Now he will regain his confidence in Aris and will play in Serie A,” Metaratings.ru quotes Pliev as saying.

Live broadcasts of Italian championship matches are watched on Match TV and the holding’s channels, as well as on matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites. In these minutes, on Match TV, watch the meeting between Juventus and Torino.