Dmitry Skopintsev: "Spartak" called, but everything has its time

One of the most promising Russian footballers Dmitry Skopintsev conquers the Premier League, regularly playing for Rostov under Valery Karpin. SSF met with the young talent and talked with him about leaving Dynamo, friendship with Arshavin and a lifelong dream.

"DIE" IN TRAINING "

- Many people think that you are a pupil of Zenit.
- This is not true. I came to the St. Petersburg club from Dynamo, where I spent four years and only from there moved to Zenit. He started in Voronezh. Regular football section at the general education lyceum where I studied. I went to training four times a week and slowly got involved.

- Who took you to training for the first time?
- Sister Olya. When I was seven years old, she noticed that I was constantly kicking something while at home. Either I'll roll my socks into a ball, then I'll wrap a piece of paper with tape. In the end, she could not stand it, took my hand and led me to training. Until the age of ten, he studied only at the Lyceum, and then ended up in the Voronezh sports school No. 15, where he stayed until the age of 13.

- After - moving to Moscow.
- Breeders from different clubs, watched my game. People from Dynamo invited me to their place. Even then, I realized that I wanted to become a football player, and asked my mother to take me to a viewing in some Moscow club. She is my therapist, she worked a lot, so she was constantly busy. Fortunately, the dream came true, and I moved to Moscow. Dynamo was the perfect place to fully concentrate on football and escape from Voronezh.

- You have always played for Dynamo in the senior year.
- It so happened that I was taken to the group born in 1996. But I was not lost, I was never afraid of competition. I always tried to prove myself, "died" in training and listened carefully to coaches - Alexander Tochilin and Kirill Novikov. From the first day I understood: either I will cope with difficulties, or I will have to say goodbye to my dream.

- Did your mom support you?
- Yes. She raised me herself, without a father, and invested all her small salary in me. For example, she bought me the best boots, which even the guys with rich parents did not have. I always tried to please.

- Were you impressed by the conditions for the young at Dynamo?
- Everything was great! We lived practically in the center of Moscow, we were fully clothed, fed four times a day. There were all opportunities for development, plus a scholarship was paid.

- How many?
- 8 thousand rubles. For a 13 year old boy - good means... In addition, I began to play for the youth team, they also paid there. I lived with this money, and sent all the Dynamo's home.

Tymoshchuk, Skopintsev, Arshavin (left to right): two mentors and a talented student. Photo by FC Zenit

"DO NOT BELIEVE THOSE WHO SPEAK BAD ABOUT Arshavin"

- As a result, you left Dynamo after all.
- Yes. He moved to St. Petersburg in the summer of 2014. And six months before that I was recognized best player academy "Dynamo" among all age groups... At the traditional ceremony, the award was presented to me by Guram Ajoev, I was named the main hope of the club. This recognition was important to me, because I am a maximalist. And then suddenly something went wrong. I waited for the situation to develop, but the Dynamo leadership offered a very modest contract. It's hard to live well in Moscow with this money. At this time, a variant with Zenit appeared. The residents of St. Petersburg fulfilled all my wishes, provided me with an apartment, helped my mother find a job. We are not talking about some big amount, so I still do not understand why nobody valued me at Dynamo. I would especially like to note that I was invited to train with the Zenit base, which was then coached by Andre Villas-Boas.

- Was it hard in St. Petersburg?
- There I spent the happiest year in my football life... From the first training sessions Boas liked him and even made his debut for Zenit in a friendly against Lille. I remember then I replaced Arshavin, earned a penalty, and we won. The games in the UEFA Youth League also gave a lot. I would like to highlight partners in the adult Zenit. Arshavin took me under his wing and gave me a lot of advice. Until now, we often communicate with him. Do not believe those who speak badly about him. This is a great person. Recently we saw him in Turkey, where Rostov had a training camp. His "Kairat" lived with us in the same hotel. Andrei Sergeevich saw me, approached me, hugged me, asked how things were going. I would also note Tymoshchuk. We stayed with him after training, additionally engaged. In that "Zenith" all were simple guys.

- It was Tymoshchuk who gave advice to move to Europe?
- He simply said that I should not be afraid that I will always have time to come back. I felt that I had a chance at Zenit, but Leipzig made a good offer, and besides, I'm not afraid of challenges. Better to do and regret than to do nothing.

Skopintsev never played in the first team of RB Leipzig - he only trained. Photo Russian Look / Imago

"A READY PLAYER SHOULD GO TO EUROPE"

- Was it difficult at home in Europe?
- Lived in a good hotel located in the city center. It was lucky that I already knew German before the move. I taught him at school, plus my grandfather studied with me. I didn’t feel lonely, because there was no time to be sad. Constant training, traveling ... Mother often came.

- You moved to RB Leipzig, but spent almost all the time in the Austrian Liefering.
- This is the Leipzig farm club, where they gathered those who were counting on in the future. Many talented guys gathered there, played in turns, worked with us a lot. Then I returned to Leipzig, but by that time the team had advanced to the Bundesliga, it was difficult for me to compete at the age of 19. There were options to stay in Europe, but Rostov's proposal turned out to be the most specific and interesting.

- Is it still worth young footballers to try their hand abroad?
- I think you should go to Europe as a ready-made player. Anyone who is raw has nothing to do there. Why do they need legionnaire guys who need to be taught if they have enough of their own guys? It is worth showing yourself in Russia and only then trying yourself in other championships.

"I NEVER COMMUNICATED WITH BERDYEV ONE TO ONE"

- You got to Rostov when the team was coached by Kurban Berdyev.
- He did not give me a chance to prove himself at all. I understood that I was going to a team where everything was built. Still, then "Rostov" was in the lead, played in European competitions. I trained hard, hoping to come out at least as a substitute.

- Have you personally communicated with Berdyev?
- No, but I have no grudge against him. As a result, I had to leave for Baltika. Then it was the only option for constant playing practice.

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- At that time, the team “stood” on the departure from the FNL.
- Yes. We were in 19th place, we were practically doomed. But we managed to rally and do the almost impossible. This is largely the merit of Igor Cherevchenko. This is a superman who believed in me from the first training session. We still often communicate, he gives advice. Igor Gennadievich is very charismatic, a leader by nature, an excellent motivator.

- Once he kicked you out of training.
- Yes, a funny situation. Baltika has not the most Better conditions for training, and one of the classes took place at a military base. There was a sports town where we ran along bumps and some kind of labyrinths, and fruit trees grew all around. Cherevchenko's assistant Valery Klimov picked an apple and threw it to me. I automatically caught and bit him. Right during one of the exercises. I turn around and see how Igor Gennadievich looks at me dumbfounded and does not understand what is happening. He shouted, kicked me out of training, told me to leave for my Voronezh. In the end, I apologized, we laughed and forgot the situation. And the next day I scored in the match winning goal.

- The first return to Rostov after the lease was not successful.
- It seemed to me that after the first loan they should have given a chance, but Leonid Kuchuk did not believe in me either, and after one of the conversations I again left for Baltika, where I spent the first part of the season.

- Kaliningrad fans still often remember you.
- I was very loved there. After the games we even saw off home, we talked a lot. I walked from the stadium to my apartment on foot, and there were 50 people with me. I bought sausages in dough for everyone, answered questions. It was fun, but in December there was an option to return to Rostov. I really wanted to prove myself in the Premier League, so I happily went to the winter training camp.

After the season resumes, Dmitry Skopintsev (No. 77) is responsible for the left flank in Rostov. Photo by FC Rostov

"AT KARPIN IN" ROSTOV "A WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE"

In winter, there was talk that you can go to one of the top Russian clubs. In particular, they talked about Spartak. Was that so?
- These are not rumors. I myself was waiting for the development of the situation. But after the first winter training camp I decided to stay at Rostov. A conversation with Valery Karpin and the leaders of the club convinced me that they were counting on me here. And playing practice is now in the first place. Everything has its time.

Young Voronezh footballers should leave their hometown for boarding schools in the capital for the sake of career development, admitted Dmitry Skopintsev, a pupil of SDYUSSHOR-15, a Rostov player, in an interview with RIA Voronezh. In a conversation with a journalist, one of the most promising footballers Russia explained what Voronezh lacks to educate good players and talked about his sporting dream.

"I dreamed of a football career since I was ten"

- How did it happen that you left Voronezh as a child?

- I left Voronezh at the age of 13. I dreamed about it at the age of ten. I then clearly defined for myself that football for me is serious. From the age of ten he dreamed of building a career. Mom was not sure that football would become my profession, she thought that interests would change over time. But I just wanted to play, nothing else. At the age of ten, I read in one of the magazines a text about how breeders of top clubs go to children's tournaments in search of talented football players. I then studied in the Voronezh sports school №15. And at the age of 11-12, I went to competitions in other cities, dreaming of catching someone's eye. At the age of 13 I came to the Cup of the Black Earth Region. Six months before that, I had a leg injury. He was very worried, almost cried. By that May Cup of the Black Earth Region, I managed to recover and came to the tournament with a great desire. And after the first match of this competition, the breeders of the Moscow Dynamo approached me. After other games, employees of other schools approached, but I chose the club for which Lev Yashin played - one might say, I consider myself a Dynamo pupil. The director of the school called us from Moscow, I felt interested in me. In addition, Dynamo took me to the team born in 1996, that is, a year older. I was also called by Sergei Silkin, who later worked in a double and grew up to the main team - I am very grateful to him.

- Have the strongest players always played in the children's team in Voronezh? It happens that the children of the coach's friends get more playing time - I often hear such stories.

- Everything was normal in SDYUSSHOR №15. My first coach Valery Meshalkin gave me a lot. But the main factor that helped me leave was motivation. I am from a simple family, my mother is a doctor. And no matter how much money the family had, she always tried to buy me the best football equipment, seeing my passion for the game. And I immediately thought of football as a business that would allow me to get to know interesting people, see the world. I wanted to achieve something, to help my family. As a child, I decided that I would not be distracted by anything other than football. No partying, no stupid pastime. And at the age of 15, when I was coached at Dynamo by a tandem of specialists Alexander Tochilin-Alexander Novikov, I heard from them the following words: "The sooner you understand that in this life you can only earn money by playing football, the better." Everyone took it differently, many immediately forgot. And this phrase sunk into my soul. I realized that I would give everything. That I will not be sprayed on nonsense. Some of my partners at the age of 15 got tattoos, walked around the girls, and I limited myself to training and games. Even instead of studying, I trained individually. Sometimes they say that you can study perfectly well and play football well - this is nonsense. You should always focus on the things that you seriously count on. And I made a choice for myself. I made a double effort to progress.

- There were many talented guys in that youth team?

- Highly. There were also guys from the Black Earth Region. But very few people made it to the top - I will not name the names of talented guys who could not step over to the adult level. Purely out of respect - if they read the interview, they themselves will understand everything. And there were guys who always gave their best. An example is Sasha Troshechkin, who played for Fakel last season. We were at Dynamo together. You know, there is such a way of thinking in Russia that even young footballer must first of all be strong physically and fast. Sasha had it all at a good level, but the main thing was his skill, his bright head. He also studied well at school, which is generally not common among athletes.

- How does it feel to leave your family at the age of 13?

- It's very hard, I was very worried at first. But at the same time, I realized that I had to manifest myself here and now. You can say I had an early adulthood. I had no escape route. Rather, I did not allow myself to think about him. I already played in the youth national team of Russia, but my grandmother and my mother said that it was not too late to return to Voronezh, to prepare for entering college. I didn't want this kind of life. I need football with all its aspects - training camps, pre-match excitement, training. I realized this at 13, barely moving to Moscow. I learned a new level of preparation for matches, I was hooked. I looked at the main line-up of Dynamo and thought that it was necessary to get there at any cost.

- Was there an idol?

- I would rather call it a role model - for me it was Gareth Bale. I tried to spy on him a lot, put chips on the field, outlined them. In general, he worked a lot individually - and made a breakthrough at this very time, from 13 to 17 years old. I understood that I have some qualities from nature. But they needed to be developed, and two-hour training with everyone was not enough. If you want to stand out, you need to work harder. And to adapt - despite the fact that all my life I played in the position of an extreme striker, now I can perform both the functions of the lateral and the midfielder.

- Is it necessary to leave Voronezh if you want to build good career player?

- Everything is individual, everyone decides for himself. But Moscow has different conditions for growth. There better coaches, better infrastructure, different attitude. And in Voronezh, there are not even enough teams, with whom to play here at 15-16 years old? Even in Moscow, there is simply nothing more to concentrate on - you live in a boarding school, you are completely immersed in the world of training, games, preparation for competitions. Tell me how many guys left in Voronezh have grown to professional football per recent years five?

- Dmitry Ternovsky and Artur Arustamyan - that's all.

- That's the whole answer.

"The main thing is not the limit, but the mentality"

- Why did you move to Zenit in 2014?

- As a child, I was rooting for this club. Petrzhela had an interesting team. I followed with delight the actions of Andrei Arshavin, Alexander Kerzhakov. Besides, I really love St. Petersburg. And Zenit obviously wanted to sign me more than Dynamo left me. The St. Petersburg club made a specific offer, they told me that I would go to the training camp with the main team - this news shook me altogether. I liked the head coach of Zenit Andre Villas-Boas. Another thing is that in the championship, the youth almost did not get a chance - there were 20 in the team. good football players, not all of them even got into the application for the match.

- But there is no regret about that transition?

- Not at all - the year at Zenit was defining for me. I've learned a lot. He played for the main team - came on as a substitute instead of Andrei Arshavin. It was something - at ten years old you see a person on the TV screen, and seven years later you go out on the field instead of him. I played in the Youth Champions League - this is a serious school. This is a unique opportunity to compare your skills with those of peers from other countries. Another thing, where is all this at the exit? I remember playing against Benfica, defeating the Portuguese 5: 1 - in the center of the field they had Renato Sanches. But then he won the European championship with the national team and moved to Bayern, and some of the guys who drove him have already finished football. Young people are rarely trusted in our country.

- I always ask young Russian footballers about the advisability of the limit on legionnaires.

- The limit is needed, but its form should be discussed. But the main thing is not the limit, but the mentality. Look at the English Everton, which has enough money to bring a player from anywhere. This club bought Icelander Sigurdsson for 45 million pounds, for example. But if the 30-year-old experienced Belgian national team player Kevin Mirallas loses the competition to the unknown Englishman Dominique Calvert-Lewin, it will be the young player who will enter the field, everything is fair. And in Russia, they sometimes do not look at the fact that you have not created anything ahead. It's more important that you don't screw up in the back. So the question is not about the limit, but about the attitude towards local players.

- Do you remain a Zenit or Dynamo fan?

- I stopped dividing clubs into favorite or unloved. It was left somewhere in childhood. If you are a professional footballer, you can no longer afford to be a fan. There is no such thing that some colors look special to me. Today you play for one team, and tomorrow you can play for another. The only thing that I clearly decided for myself was that I could not play for any other national team, only for the Russian national team.

- How did the Red Bull breeders notice you?

- We watched the matches of the youth Champions League, the youth team of Russia. I wondered if it was worth taking a break. But the Germans paid the compensation, and I myself was interested in going to Europe. I did not fully realize that I would be considered a legionnaire there. They could not get me a UEFA football player's passport, and this affected me. In Russia, if a foreigner and a Russian are equal in level, the first will enter the field - it's not in vain that the money was paid for him. In Europe, all other things being equal, a local footballer will always get a chance. They are thinking about giving material to the German national team. And it is right. So I have no regrets. I made friends there, not all of them are related to football. I saw the Red Bull system - this is the top level. And I realized that everything in life is possible. In Germany, the same guys as in Russia - two arms, two legs. But the whole system works like a clock. Your day is clearly planned: you have breakfast with the team, even if you are not living at the base. Because the player's nutrition is tightly controlled. Every day you donate blood, it is analyzed - what substances your body lacks, what, on the contrary, you have an excess. Then you go to gym- they develop an individual training program for you. You are free at five o'clock. And then I had German courses. After that you can rest. But I must admit that Salzburg, in which I spent most of the time, is very calm. It is beautiful there, wonderful architecture, but this is a city for the elderly, I would say. If you want to take a walk and have an interesting evening, it is better to go to Vienna.

- Have you crossed paths with any of today's Red Bull Leipzig stars?

- There are simple sociable guys. We lived in a room with Emil Forsberg, I have him on WhatsApp, sometimes we write off. A funny story came out with Joshua Kimmich. I came to the team for my first training session, I don't know anyone yet. I see a guy standing next to me, he looks very young. And in Germany, it is customary to immediately get acquainted with newcomers, to provide them with maximum assistance. I thought that there was a guy from the youth team next to me, that I needed to support him so as not to worry. They bought me from Zenit, I thought I was a tough guy. I came up and began to communicate with him in English. And then the coach comes in: "Joshua, thanks for everything, we wish you good luck - Bayern bought you." Kimmich was already a star back then. But he sat with me talking on equal terms, we laughed, joked. There, people do not have any stellar habits.

- In general, what is the level of Salzburg, the Austrian league as a whole? Higher than FNL?

- Salzburg are stronger best teams FNL. But our sub-elite division shouldn't be underestimated. The fact that most teams do not play, but fight is a stereotype. There are teams that “park the bus”. But there are few of them. And it's very difficult to prove yourself in the FNL. This is a normal school of men's power football for young player... I really needed the FNL to remind me of myself in Russia.

"I understand that I am capable of more"

- Why did Baltika go for the winter break not in the top three? The composition is excellent.

- Themselves ruined life. At some point, it seemed that everything was somehow too easy. And then something seemed to pounce on us. We stopped using scoring chances and made stupid mistakes. Maybe we were too sure of ourselves. I am very uncomfortable in front of head coach Igor Cherevchenko. I seem to have good statistics, but I am sure that I could have given Baltika even more.

- Why is Cherevchenko good as a coach?

- First of all, he is charismatic. He is a leader by nature. The coach should be the motivator in the first place, because the decisions on the field are still made by the player, not his mentor. The coach should know when to cheer you up, when to scold you, and when to say that the team needs you. And this cannot be taken away from Cherevchenko.

- What do you feel when you read messages about the interest of Zenit, Spartak and Krasnodar?

- It's nice that you play for a reason, that your work appeals to someone. The interest of the top clubs is an additional incentive. But at the same time, this is not my concern - I am a footballer of Rostov. And I will give my all in training so that they give me a chance to prove myself at the level of the Premier League.

- Can you imagine that one day you will take to the field wearing a Fakel shirt?

- Who knows - suddenly, in the coming years, "Fakel" will be in the Premier League? Maybe later, when I start my own family, I will play hometown... But it's too early to talk about it. In the meantime, I'm happy with what I have. But at the same time, I understand that I am capable of more. And I am ready to work very, very hard to make my dreams come true - to hear the Champions League anthem while standing on the field and play for the Russian national team.

Information from RIA "Voronezh"

Dmitry Skopintsev was born in Voronezh in 1997, began to study at the Sports School # 15. As a child, he moved to Moscow, where he joined the Dynamo youth teams. In 2014 he moved to Zenit from St. Petersburg. Since September 2015 Skopintsev has been in the team system of the Austrian Red Bull Salzburg. Rostov owns the rights to the midfielder; he started the 2017/2018 season on loan at Baltika, Kaliningrad.

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One of the most promising Russian footballers Dmitry Skopintsev conquers the Premier League, regularly playing for Rostov under Valery Karpin. SSF met with the young talent and talked with him about leaving Dynamo, friendship with Arshavin and a lifelong dream.
"DIE" IN TRAINING "
- Many people think that you are a pupil of Zenit.
- This is not true. I came to the St. Petersburg club from Dynamo, where I spent four years and only from there moved to Zenit. He started in Voronezh. An ordinary football section at the general education lyceum where I studied. I went to workouts four times a week and slowly got involved ..
- Who took you to training for the first time?
- Sister Olya. When I was seven years old, she noticed that I was constantly kicking something while at home. Either I'll roll my socks into a ball, then I'll wrap a piece of paper with tape. In the end, she could not stand it, took my hand and led me to training. Until the age of ten, he studied only at the Lyceum, and then got into the Voronezh sports school №15, where he stayed until the age of 13.
- After - moving to Moscow.
- Breeders from different clubs came to the Chernozemye tournament and watched my game. People from Dynamo invited me to their place. Even then, I realized that I wanted to become a football player, and asked my mother to take me to a viewing in some Moscow club. She is my therapist, she worked a lot, so she was constantly busy. Fortunately, the dream came true, and I moved to Moscow. Dynamo was the perfect place to fully concentrate on football and escape from Voronezh.

- You have always played for Dynamo in the senior year.
- It so happened that I was taken to the group born in 1996. But I was not lost, I was never afraid of competition. I always tried to prove myself, "died" in training and listened carefully to coaches - Alexander Tochilin and Kirill Novikov. From the first day I understood: either I will cope with difficulties, or I will have to say goodbye to my dream.
- Did your mom support you?
- Yes. She raised me herself, without a father, and invested all her small salary in me. For example, she bought me the best boots, which even the guys with rich parents did not have. I always tried to please.
- Were you impressed by the conditions for the young at Dynamo?
- Everything was great! We lived practically in the center of Moscow, we were fully clothed, fed four times a day. There were all opportunities for development, plus a scholarship was paid.
- How many?
- 8 thousand rubles. For a 13-year-old boy - good means. In addition, I began to play for the youth team, they also paid there. I lived with this money, and sent all the Dynamo's home.

"DO NOT BELIEVE THOSE WHO SPEAK BAD ABOUT Arshavin"
- As a result, you left Dynamo after all.
- Yes. He moved to St. Petersburg in the summer of 2014. And six months before that, I was recognized as the best player of the Dynamo academy among all age groups. At the traditional ceremony, the award was presented to me by Guram Ajoev, I was named the main hope of the club. This recognition was important to me, because I am a maximalist. And then suddenly something went wrong. I waited for the situation to develop, but the Dynamo leadership offered a very modest contract. It's hard to live well in Moscow with this money. At this time, a variant with Zenit appeared. The residents of St. Petersburg fulfilled all my wishes, provided me with an apartment, helped my mother find a job. We are not talking about some big amount, so I still do not understand why nobody valued me at Dynamo. I would especially like to note that I was invited to train with the Zenit base, which was then coached by Andre Villas-Boas.
- Was it hard in St. Petersburg?
- There I spent the happiest year of my football life. From the first training sessions Boas liked him and even made his debut for Zenit in a friendly against Lille. I remember then I replaced Arshavin, earned a penalty, and we won. The games in the UEFA Youth League also gave a lot. I would like to highlight partners in the adult Zenit. Arshavin took me under his wing and gave me a lot of advice. Until now, we often communicate with him. Do not believe those who speak badly about him. This is a great person. Recently we saw him in Turkey, where Rostov had a training camp. His "Kairat" lived with us in the same hotel. Andrei Sergeevich saw me, approached me, hugged me, asked how things were going. I would also note Tymoshchuk. We stayed with him after training, additionally engaged. In that "Zenith" all were simple guys.
- It was Tymoshchuk who gave advice to move to Europe?
- He simply said that I should not be afraid that I will always have time to come back. I felt that I had a chance at Zenit, but Leipzig made a good offer, and besides, I'm not afraid of challenges. Better to do and regret than to do nothing.

"A READY PLAYER SHOULD GO TO EUROPE"
- Was it difficult at home in Europe?
- Lived in a good hotel located in the city center. It was lucky that I already knew German before the move. I taught him at school, plus my grandfather studied with me. I didn’t feel lonely, because there was no time to be sad. Constant training, traveling ... Mother often came.
- You moved to RB Leipzig, but spent almost all the time in the Austrian Liefering.
- This is the Leipzig farm club, where they gathered those who were counting on in the future. Many talented guys gathered there, played in turns, worked with us a lot. Then I returned to Leipzig, but by that time the team had advanced to the Bundesliga, it was difficult for me to compete at the age of 19. There were options to stay in Europe, but Rostov's proposal turned out to be the most specific and interesting.
- Is it still worth young footballers to try their hand abroad?
- I think that you should go to Europe as a ready-made player. Anyone who is raw has nothing to do there. Why do they need legionnaire guys who need to be taught if they have enough of their own guys? It is worth showing yourself in Russia and only then trying yourself in other championships.

"I NEVER COMMUNICATED WITH BERDYEV ONE TO ONE"
- You got to Rostov when the team was coached by Kurban Berdyev.
- He did not give me a chance to prove myself at all. I understood that I was going to a team where everything was built. Still, then "Rostov" was in the lead, played in European competitions. I trained hard, hoping to come out at least as a substitute.
- Have you personally communicated with Berdyev?
- No, but I have no grudge against him. As a result, I had to leave for Baltika. Then it was the only option for constant playing practice.

- At that time, the team “stood” on the departure from the FNL.
- Yes. We were in 19th place, we were practically doomed. But we managed to rally and do the almost impossible. This is largely the merit of Igor Cherevchenko. This is a superman who believed in me from the first training session. We still often communicate, he gives advice. Igor Gennadievich is very charismatic, a leader by nature, an excellent motivator.
- Once he kicked you out of training.
- Yes, a funny situation. Baltika does not have the best training conditions, and one of the classes took place at a military base. There was a sports town where we ran along bumps and some kind of labyrinths, and fruit trees grew all around. Cherevchenko's assistant Valery Klimov picked an apple and threw it to me. I automatically caught and bit him. Right during one of the exercises. I turn around and see how Igor Gennadievich looks at me dumbfounded and does not understand what is happening. He shouted, kicked me out of training, told me to leave for my Voronezh. In the end, I apologized, we laughed and forgot the situation. And the next day I scored the winning goal in the match.

- The first return to Rostov after the lease was not successful.
- It seemed to me that after the first loan they should have given a chance, but Leonid Kuchuk did not believe in me either, and after one of the conversations I again left for Baltika, where I spent the first part of the season.
- Kaliningrad fans still often remember you.
- I was very loved there. After the games we even saw off home, we talked a lot. I walked from the stadium to my apartment on foot, and there were 50 people with me. I bought sausages in dough for everyone, answered questions. It was fun, but in December there was an option to return to Rostov. I really wanted to prove myself in the Premier League, so I happily went to the winter training camp.

"AT KARPIN IN" ROSTOV "A WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE"
- In winter, there was talk that you can go to one of the top Russian clubs. In particular, they talked about Spartak. Was that so?
- These are not rumors. I myself was waiting for the development of the situation. But after the first winter training camp I decided to stay at Rostov. A conversation with Valery Karpin and the leaders of the club convinced me that they were counting on me here. And playing practice is now in the first place. Everything has its time.

- Does Karpin have special sympathy for young people?
- In my opinion, for him all are equal. Valery Georgievich can "cram" both experienced guys and young people. But in general, the atmosphere in the team is wonderful now. No groupings.
- Do you often talk one-on-one with the head coach?
- Yes, in Rostov, the coach's personal conversations with the players are regularly held. This is very motivating. This makes it easier to understand where you need to add, what is hindering progress. Karpin himself was a great player, and he already had decent coaching experience. He will definitely not advise bad.

"DREAM IS THE MAIN TEAM OF RUSSIA"
- In the first matches for Rostov, you often dribbled. Not always justified. Did the coach scold you?
- On the contrary, Valery Georgievich is always for creativity. He asks players to take the lead more often. Of course, not at the expense of efficiency.
- How do you assess the renewal of the season for Rostov?
- We have a difficult calendar, but victories will come soon, I have no doubt. The game is there. Look at our goals. These are not random balls, but combinations that were practiced at the winter training camp. When it turns out to realize what was planned in advance - these are super-emotions! In terms of teamwork and solidarity, Rostov is doing great.

- Is the Premier League much better than the FNL in terms of level?
- There I beat two or three defenders. Here they are working against me much tougher. Unless the quality of the fields is about the same.
- The modern "Rostov-Arena" will open on April 15 ...
- Recently, the whole team went there. We looked at the stands, the lawn. I liked it very much. I think the fans will also like the stadium.
- At the age of 21 you were entrenched in the basis of Rostov, but you are not invited to the Russian youth team. Isn't it offensive?
- Now I think more about how to benefit the club. Several times I was included in the expanded composition of the youth team, but no more. Well, that's okay. My dream is to be in the main Russian national team.

- Now Stanislav Cherchesov's team operates according to the familiar 5-3-2 scheme.
- Yes, so I can compare myself with those who play in my position in the national team. I follow these players, notice some nuances, simulate how I would act in their place. I hope that someday my dream will come true, I will be able to test myself at the level of the main team of the country.
- Whose game in the current squad appeals to you the most?
- I like Yuri Zhirkov very much - his style of play, handling the ball, thinking. I think this is the best lateral in the history of the Russian national team.

"RANGE MYSELF I DO NOT COUNT"
- In one of social networks you have a lot of songs by singer MakSim.
- I like her compositions. She is for me the standard of femininity and beauty. She has beautiful songs and a life story. I read the biography of MakSim and found many similarities. I would like to go to her concert, and if possible, meet in person.

- What did you get for the first big salary?
- The car that I dreamed of since childhood.

- What, if not a secret?
- Black Mercedes. I had to save some time, but I fulfilled my dream.
- Don't you consider yourself a spender?
- Mom jokes a lot on this topic, but I don't consider myself that way. I have a head on my shoulders. By the way, there are two cards tied to my account. One for me, the second for my mother. She controls my expenses, but does not prohibit buying anything.
- What do you like to do in free time?
- I try to devote a lot of time to my family. I often call my family and my girlfriend Liza, who lives in Voronezh and supports me in everything. I also read German literature and play on the console.

PRIVATE BUSSINESS
Dmitry SKOPINTSEV
Midfielder. Was born on March 2, 1997 in Voronezh.
CAREER
German RB Leipzig (2015), Austrian Liefering (2015-2016). Since September 2016 - a player of Rostov. In 2017, he played on loan for Baltika.

Age: 21
Citizenship: Russia.
Role: left-back / midfielder.
Place of birth: Voronezh.
School: Dynamo.
Clubs: Liefering (Austria), Baltika, Rostov, Krasnodar (since February 2018).

Skopintsev's transfer was the most unexpected during this transfer window in the RPL. We met with the footballer in Rostov-on-Don five months ago. Then he told a lot amazing stories out of his career.

Rostov announced Skopintsev's transfer to Krasnodar

Baltika

- What kind of story did you have with the apple in Baltika?
- We trained at a military base. Apple trees grew next to the field - just at my edge. One of the trainers Valery Klimov threw me an apple. I look, such a bulk. Purely mechanically I took a bite. He was still young. And then I turn around - Cherevchenko has steam from his ears, because during training I chew an apple. Immediately: “What are you, Skopintsev! Go to your Voronezh !! " Cherevchenko sent me over the edge, and I begged for forgiveness: "Coach, coach ..."

- And he?
- "Leave me alone, leave." Then he nevertheless became kinder - Cherevchenko has a kind soul. Made me do a revealing run five times back and forth. Out of breath, I returned to class. You grow up on such episodes. Since then, nothing in training can distract me at all. I am grateful to Cherevchenko for everything he gave me. We still communicate warmly. We call after the matches.

- What does he advise?
- Take over the game, play the game. This is not enough in football now, therefore it is appreciated. Well, in general, he says to remain a kind person.

- You were so kind that you bought food for fans in Kaliningrad. How did this happen?
- I had good relations with the fans of Baltika. Sometimes, even a trick on the sidelines with a winning score, to please the audience. After the match, the fans were waiting at the stadium, who wanted to communicate with the players. The fans accompanied me: from the stadium to the house - half an hour on foot. They walked straight in a crowd.

- A crowd?
- About 30 people. On the way, we went to a cafe, and I bought all sausages in dough. Kaliningrad is a sincere city, there are many food courts with pastries. I took coffee and a bun for myself, because more often I lived alone and did not cook. Why not take another 30 sausages in batter and beer for those who are especially thirsty? I will not become poor. It's nice to make people feel good.

- Were 1000 people waiting for you at the next match?
- In such cases, I left by taxi ( laughs). I'm kidding, of course. I liked it when my mother meets me after football. The fans are adequate. They can see that I am leaving with her.

- Was it your mother who raised you kind?
- You just need to share: stay serious in football, and switch with the fans. If someone treats me with kindness, then I respond in kind. In general, I was raised by one mother. She taught me to stay who I am - responsive, but not to adapt to anyone, to bend my line.

- Did your father leave the family?
- Yes, I was about two years old then. Now we rarely communicate with him, he did not participate in my formation. I've always had a mom, grandmother, grandfather and sister. Grandpa died four years ago. Basically, he replaced my father. Mom believed in me very much. Although what percentage of children become football players? Moreover, no one is behind me. I wanted to get through no matter what. Mom was glad that I didn’t wander the streets. Voronezh is full of disastrous examples. Even if my peers had better equipment, but I knew that I would make my way.

"Dynamo"

“There was no one behind you. Thanks to whom did you get from Voronezh to Dynamo?
- I was looked after at the youth tournament. Thanks to Silkin, who personally called my mother and asked to let him go to the Dynamo academy. Moreover, his team was born in 1996. Although I was born in 1997.

- Was it hard for your relatives to let go of the 13-year-old boy?
- And no one would have kept me. My grandmother was against it, my mother said: "Try it, go for a dream." She came every week on reserved seats to support me. The first time in the boarding school was very difficult.

- Did you have any troubles?
- There was a situation. I thought I was on board. Several times I took a sandwich and compote. It turned out that they didn’t register me and even accused of theft. They took him to the director: "We can still understand the bad grades in school, but we will definitely not tolerate theft!" I didn't understand what was going on. He replied: “I don’t need your sandwiches at all, I can go and buy myself a Rollton at any time.

- How were you punished?
- Suspended from training.

- What saved?
- Coaches Novikov and Tochilin, who now work at Sochi, stood up for me. They said that the match is the next day and the team needs me. They brought me back, and I scored in that game. I do not know what happened if Novikov and Tochilin had not insisted. It is important to remember those who gave you the chance. That situation became stressful, but made me stronger.

- Tochilin is eloquent. What words do you remember?
- He teased us a lot. I also joked: “Yes, coach, we are all equal, but you have crocodile leather boots. Cut a piece for me, I'll go and sell. "

"Zenith"

- Zenit took you from Dynamo, in which Hulk and Arshavin were.
- By the way, I do not understand at all why they took up arms against Arshavin because of some phrases. He says what he really thinks. He taught me and supported me from the first days at Zenit.

- to us, what Arshavin suggests in training: "I need a transfer under the far leg, whatever the situation." And what did Arshavin teach you?
- We stayed after training to hit the goal and Arshavin showed how to put a foot, at what angle to run up to the ball to hit the far corner. In general, no stardom was felt. These people - Tymoshchuk, Anyukov, Arshavin, Kerzhakov - you grow up with.

- You played for Zenit in the UEFA Youth League. What do you remember?
- We met with Benfica, in which Renata Sanches played. In Portugal - 0: 0, in St. Petersburg - 5: 1 won. We drove them. Only Renato Sanches then got to Bayern and won the European Championship, and many of ours have already finished football.

Leipzig

- RB Leipzig bought you from Zenit. The main lesson from your foreign stage?
- It is not easy for a young Russian in Europe. I'm not talking about Golovin, he had every reason to go. But all other things being equal, a German will be put in the composition in Germany. Even if you are better, they will still put a German. I was a legionnaire - you cannot play for the youth Leipzig U-23 without an EU passport. I was taken in main team, but at 18 it's hard to break into the base.

- In Germany, crossed paths with someone from famous footballers?
- First day in Leipzig. I was bought from Zenit for a lot of money. I come to the dressing room all so important. A younger-looking boy comes up to me - I already had a beard under the base. The boy begins to communicate with me, get acquainted, ask questions. I thought it was some U-19 boy. He began to cheer him up in English: "In football, it is important to try, show yourself." In short, he supported the guy as best he could.

- What's the catch?
- Our coach comes in and says: “Well, Joshua, we wish you success at Bayern. The guy turns to me: "Good luck, Dimitri." It was Kimmich. He soon scored for Bayern.

"Rostov"

- There was a funny situation in Rostov. How did it happen that you ran on all fours during your workout?
- It was one of the first classes under Karpin. I was hooked on a slippery field and it turned out that I was catching up with the ball on all fours. I had to play head-fall. Then this moment was played everywhere, and the partners teased: they called me Phil Jones. It’s always like that: the slightest offense, and they don’t get off you.

- In the national team, Dziuba poses the most. And who is in Rostov?
- Parshivlyuk is trying. Kalachev can say something because of his authority. Well, Valery Georgievich can too.

- I heard that Karpin shoves you most of all.
- He knows that I must not be let loose. It even tells us on such details as boots: which spikes, which material will not rub calluses. And so with all the little things.

- How did Rostov climb to third place? Does the carpet affect you?
- Everyone jokes about it, but luck still needs to be earned. In the summer we had such a training camp that now we can run over anyone. And my grandmother has a carpet at home. I'll take a closer look at him. Maybe even kick out the dust for good luck.

- I heard that mom is tied to your bank account. What for?
- I do not have a personal accountant, and my mother is the closest person. With her, I make all the important decisions. I manage the money, my mother helps.

- If you are fined, will she know right away?
- Yes. But in general, I'll tell her myself earlier. We have a relationship of trust.

- What was the largest amount for which you were fined?
- In Leipzig, an interpreter from Kazakhstan told me the wrong time to start training. The fine was huge - one thousand euros.

- Promes recently said: "If a footballer is left-handed, then he is already special." This is true?
- Quincy now immediately earned +2 respect from me. Yes, lefties are in short supply. Of course, I'm glad I'm not like everyone else. We are few, so our price is higher.

- What hand do you write?
- Both left and right hand- does not matter.

- You just started Instagram. How is this possible in 2018?
- Yes, I didn't want to. I don't like to post photos for everyone. I just realized that this is already a requirement of the fans.