There is no room for error – the new rules for conducting continental club tournaments at this stage do not provide an opportunity to correct mistakes made in the return match.

The correspondent of the Republican Internet portal Sports.kz decided to talk to the experienced defender of FC Astana Evgeny Postnikov, who is familiar with Belarusian football from the inside, and to ask the player how the Kazakh team was met in the country torn by political protests, what he thinks of today’s Dynamo Brest, and about the mood of the players of the team from Nur-Sultan for its first official match after a five-month break.

- Evgeny, you spent three seasons in Belarus. How did this country meet you this time?

- Everything is good – warm, green, beautiful, friendly people! So only pleasant emotions so far.

- What’s going on in Brest? Can the situation there be called tense? Does the city itself look the same as usual?

- We have not seen anything like that. Perhaps this is due to the fact that, according to the UEFA protocol related to COVID-19, we practically did not leave the hotel yet. Therefore, everything is quiet and calm.

- How do you like this format of the European Competitions qualifying rounds, when each stage consists of one match, which is played without spectators in the stands?

- The fact that the matches will be played without spectators is, of course, a big disadvantage, because we play football for them. We know that almost always stadium is sold for FC Astana in European Competitions, the fans give us strength, so we always play very well in front of our stands. As for the one match rule, now there is more of a random chance – a kind of football lottery. In my opinion, it is more correct when the strongest is determined by the aggregate of two matches. But in this situation, when people’s health comes to the fore, perhaps UEFA made the most optimal decision.

- Will it be an advantage for us that you play in Brest with empty stands?

- Of course, it can play into our hands. People love football in Brest, a lot of them come to the matches, they warmly support their team – and it helps them a lot, gives the team emotions. So this can become an advantage for us.

- I think you know almost all the Dynamo Brest players. Which of them is the most dangerous for the opponents of this team, in your opinion?

- I don’t know anyone personally, although I crossed paths with many on the football field. They have skilled players in the attacking line, they have fast wing players. Maybe there is a lack of organization, but definitely there are individually strong players. So I’m sure it will be a difficult match.

- FC Astana has played successfully with the representatives of Belarus in European competitions so far. Does this fact give the players of our team some kind of psychological advantage, in your opinion?

- I would not say that the matches in Belarus against BATE were easy for us. We achieved a good result at home only. As for the psychological advantage, I think that the fact that we have been playing in the group stage of European Competitions for five years is more influential – this adds confidence.

- Did you make breakdown the game of the Brest team with the coach? Their most vulnerable place, at first glance, seems to be the defense line. What do you think?

- Now in football the whole team is defending and attacking, but more and more willingly go forward, and when mistakes occur, not everyone has time to return – that’s why problems arise. Now the organization of Dynamo’s game is not at the highest level – perhaps, it was affected by the fact that a number of their players had been ill, as the Brest team looked better before. We need to look for their weaknesses in defense, score and win.

- Have you prepared any surprises for your opponents?

- The coaching staff analyzed the opponent’s game, showed their strengths and weaknesses. As for surprises, we are preparing them, but it will be wrong if I tell you about it. We’ll see during the match if we can surprise the opponent.

- In general, what is the mood in the dressing room of FC Astana now?

- Everyone already wants the matches to start, everyone is tired of quarantine. We have not held official matches for a long time, I hope everything will work out, and we will start playing right away in the Champions League. I think we will start with a good mood, we will give our best.

- In your opinion, will the five-month pause affect the team’s game?

- Of course, it’s very difficult without matches for so long. No amount of training sessions or friendly match can replace an official match. I hope everything will be fine and we will look better and better with each match.

The General Partner of FC Astana is Samruk-Kazyna JSC