Igor Ledyakhov: “Real will win the Champions League again”

Today and tomorrow on the football fields of Europe will take place the return quarter-final matches of the Champions League. About them and the events of the past weekend, “MK” spoke with the famous Russian football player, and now the head coach of “Alania” Igor Ledyahov.

– You played in Spain for 10 years and, for sure, you sympathize with the clubs there. “Real” on the strength to repeat last year’s triumph in the main club tournament?

– Of course, we can. A club with such winning traditions! For me, he is always the main favorite in any competition.

– “Chelsea” so resignedly loses to everyone. Is there a hidden threat to Real Madrid in terms of underestimation?

– I do not think that under Ancelotti this term is generally appropriate. Although the composition of the Londoners is the envy of many, and can always shoot. But not at this time. Too big was the advantage of Madrid in the first match, and in a week hardly anything has changed. Moreover, the crazy comebacks in matches involving Barcelona against PSG and Liverpool are still fresh in the memory of the Spaniards. Only with a different outcome for the Catalans. Madrid will be vigilant.

– President of “Barcelona”, as soon as she stalled in Example, again attacked with accusations against “Real” about the refereeing. Not very pretty, agree?

– There has been this “mouse fuss” for a long time. It should not be taken seriously, especially in terms of all sorts of stories. Today, even Franco was remembered, who really supported the Catalans.

– Barça still have a solid supply, and in the English Premier League, Arsenal have lost almost all of their hard-won advantage. How can you miss the victory twice in a row, leading 2-0?

– Something broke in the psychological plan. This happens when you have not been at the top for a long time, and it is so close. Not enough championship confidence. But I think they will still bypass City on courage, although the Citizens look very powerful.

– The main intrigue of the Champions League quarter-finals lies in today’s confrontation between Napoli and Milan. The team of Kvaratskhelia can no longer be considered a favorite after losing 0:1 in the first meeting?

– The Milanese picked up some keys to a completely debugged, it seemed, Spalletti mechanism. The unconditional leadership in the championship could also play a cruel joke with the Neapolitans. I think Milan will pass.

– Are there any doubts about the outcomes in the other two pairs?

– None. Much was expected from Benfica with Inter, but the Italians will not let go after 2-0 in Lisbon. Here the European experience takes its toll. About “City” with “Bavaria” and say nothing.

– Quite something is bad for Bayern with the arrival of Tuchel. Hurry with the resignation of Nagelsmann?

– Some problems in the locker room still make themselves felt. But they were under Nagelsmann. They failed in the League, but they will still take the Bundesliga.

– And two words about the best Russian legionnaires. Miranchuk again played well for Torino, scored an assist, but there is no feeling that the team has lost interest in the current Serie A tournament?

– So it is, because the team no longer claims anything, and has insured itself against relegation. But Alexey has his own incentive – to raise his personal rating. When a player is on loan, he must prove his worth to everyone and in every match.

– “Monaco” Golovin, on the contrary, in a big game, and he beats performance records. This week the most important game in Lance. Cling to the “troika”?

– Judging by the game, yes. I am glad that Sasha recovered easily from the injury – he gives, he scores. He has a good press, which still works today for the image of our football in Europe.

– You recently went from Europe to work in Vladikavkaz. Large, it is necessary to lie, the task before the “Alania”?

– Yes, we go from game to game to fulfill them. So far, home matches have to be played in Grozny, but with the restoration of the lost infrastructure, everything will return to normal.