Sochi head coach Vadim Garanin found many positive moments in the team’s performance in the PARI Premier Cup match against Zenit, noting that one can look to the future with optimism.

Sochi on Saturday in a penalty shootout lost to Zenit (1:1, 2:4) in the match of the PARI Premier Cup. This game was the first for Garanin in a new position.

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— There are many positive moments, because in such a short period of time we tried to bring our requirements to a very good playing team. This makes us very happy. Of course, we have a lot of work to do, just like the rest of the teams. Positive moments, perhaps not so global, but “chicken by grain.”

We originally planned that all the guys would come out. Probably, we played a little better in the first half, but there are objective reasons for this. I believe that for the first game, for the new requirements and the fact that the experienced guys supported the new and young players, this all gives us great optimism. Today we once again made sure that we have a very good and friendly team,” Garanin told Match TV.

According to media reports, Sochi forward Mateo Cassierra is close to moving to Zenit. The Colombian was not included in the application for the game against the Blue-White-Blues.

– Cassierra was not in the application for the game with Zenit. Don’t count on it anymore?

We work with those who are. He will be, will not be, in the “Zenith” or in Europe – it does not depend on us. The championship is coming soon, we will not have time to look back, as we will already play the first round with Torpedo. We have to make sure that we can score without Cassierra. There are guys in attack and midfield. We live with those people who we have,” Garanin told reporters.

Last season, Sochi, under the leadership of Vladimir Fedotov, took second place in the Russian championship. Fedotov in June headed the Moscow CSKA.