The Zenit St. Petersburg squad has been working out at the Säbener Strasse since Sunday, preparing for a UEFA Cup meeting away to VfB Stuttgart. Understandably enough, all eyes were on Anatoliy Tymoschuk, even though the midfielder is suspended for the clash with VfB and also failed to train on Monday due to a minor injury.
As is now widely known, the UEFA Cup holders' Ukrainian captain is making the switch to Munich on 1 July this year. fcbayern.de asked Zenit boss Dick Advocaat to introduce his skipper, and heard nothing but good things about the Bavarians' new acquisition.
Interview: Dick Advocaat
fcbayern.de: Dick Advocaat, Bayern apparently harbour no grudges towards you, as you're training here at the Säbener Strasse despite knocking Munich out of the UEFA Cup last season.
Advocaat: "Yes, and we're delighted we've been able to get ready for Stuttgart here in Munich. The conditions here are superb, and we're genuinely proud that Bayern have given us this opportunity. You wouldn't get that from every club.“
fcbayern.de: You beat Stuttgart 2-1 at home in St. Petersburg. How do you see the situation ahead of the return?
Advocaat: "It'll be another tough match. In the first game, Stuttgart were slightly better in the first half, but we were better in the second. We had the chances to score more goals. It's hard to say what'll happen on Thursday – especially as I'm missing two vital players.“
fcbayern.de: How serious is the loss of Anatoliy Tymoschuk?
Advocaat: "Anatoliy is my captain and one of our most important players. He's a big loss for Thursday, and a big loss in the summer when he moves here. Bayern are getting my best player.“
fcbayern.de: What can you tell us about Tymoschuk as a player?
Advocaat: "He's a vital figure for the team, on and off the pitch. And that's not unimportant in today's game.“
fcbayern.de: So Bayern can look forward to Tymoschuk's arrival?
Advocaat: "Definitely. He's a top professional and a very, very good player. Come the summer, you'll see jut how good the lad is.“
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