Alexander Erokhin: “I really wanted us to finally score in the game against CSKA”

Zenit midfielder Alexander Erokhin told Match TV that he was very happy to score a goal against CSKA in the FONBET Russian Cup match.

On May 2, Zenit in Moscow drew with CSKA with a score of 1:1 in the first final match of the RPL Path of the Russian Cup. Erokhin came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and equalized nine minutes later. Before this, Zenit had not scored in two matches in a row.

— Everyone saw your vivid emotions after the goal against CSKA. What did you feel?

— Of course, it was nice to score and help the team. True, a draw is not the result we would like to achieve in the first game. However, there will still be a return game at home at the Gazprom Arena. Now the most important thing is to recover before the most important match in the championship with Fakel.

— When you came on as a substitute in the game against CSKA, did you have a premonition that you would score?

— I always try to be in shape so that I can go out even for 5–10 minutes, but work to the maximum. The most important thing is to help the team. I was very glad that we managed to do this in the game against CSKA.

— Was the goal after a corner kick classic?

— It was a very good serve. In a zone where it is difficult for the goalkeeper to play on the way out. In this case, the defender wasn’t quite sure: maybe he didn’t decide who to play for, because I just came on as a substitute. I do not rule out that this also played a role.

— After the game, you didn’t immediately go to the locker room, but together with those who came on as substitutes, you were still getting your running load on the field. I heard a joke from fans about this: the goal scorer could have been released.

– Of course, it wasn’t worth it – I enjoy work: every training session is like a holiday, and every game is like New Year’s (smiles). But seriously, this is a common practice for those who came on as a substitute and played a little. And then, the “discount” still worked out: at some point your colleagues from Match TV took you away from the field for an interview. True, it turned out that I didn’t work a little, so I had to make up for it at the next training session.

— Before this, Zenit had not scored in five halves in a row. Was this goal a breath of fresh air for the team?

— We control the ball a lot in all matches. Maybe to a lesser extent in the match with CSKA, but we still created chances. Therefore, I really wanted us to finally score. We hope this is a good trend ahead of the next matches. And, of course, we are preparing for the game with Fakel with more positive emotions. The game will not be easy, and the road trip will be long. To play well in Voronezh, you will need to devote a lot of effort and emotion,” Erokhin told Match TV.

The return game of the final of the RPL Russian Cup Path with CSKA will take place on May 15 in St. Petersburg. The winner of the confrontation will play in the Russian Cup Superfinal with the best team of the Baltika – Spartak pair.

On May 6, Zenit will play away against Fakel Voronezh in the match of the 27th round of the WORLD RPL. Watch the live broadcast of the game from 17:50 (Moscow time) on the MATCH PREMIER channel, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.