Horror tour: Moscow, Brick, Kazan

We're starting a horror tour: 20 January "Dynamo" in Moscow, 23 January "Belogorye" in Tula, 26 January "Zenit" in Kazan. What could be more beautiful, to lower self-esteem before the most important match 2 February in Orenburg with a direct competitor?

I think, self esteem will be fine. conversely, the upcoming three matches should turn into practice for improving it. In the game with Lokomotiv we proved, that we can play on equal terms with the leaders, albeit with the support of home stands, and not throughout the entire match. No matter, the main thing is that we can.

Now we need to consolidate this skill away. Let these be separate segments, sets, pranks - no matter. Unwind and feel like you belong at the top of the volleyball pyramid, fighting with the best teams in Russia, one of the best in Europe - that’s what’s valuable.

We can fly to Orenburg with an empty knapsack, but hungry, angry and confident in themselves and their partners one hundred percent. Then the mission of the final January chord will be completed.

Is there any point in sorting out rivals now?? Resources are not comparable. Dynamo can play without Sapozhkov, "Belogorye" without Tetyukhin, Zenit is able to give Mikhailov and Volkov a rest. It will make us feel better, but still we are in different weight categories today. The more interesting, How will the team perform?.

For me personally, the most interesting thing is our fourth zone. Delivery and reception, block protection, diagonal and pace are also interesting, but more or less clear. We really need another strong point in attack, which will allow you to stretch the opponent’s block along the entire length of the net, I'm not talking about depth, meaning pipe. There is a resource by Alexander Kostadinov, still not really implemented. There is an option for super-fast play under tempo, that occasionally hatches on good finishing. What else? This is interesting. Because later, in the battle for the playoffs, this fulcrum or lack thereof can be a decisive factor. On condition, of course, that the rest of the ensemble will sound.

Tomorrow we start with Dynamo, With this game we will officially close the first round program. The last time we beat Muscovites was in January 2019 year in Surgut, seven years ago. And our last and only victory in the capital was in February 2015 of the year. Statistics, to put it mildly, not in our favor. But people draw the numbers on the scoreboard - so let’s look at them with curiosity.