Plamen Konstantinov will once again have to build Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk) with a new setter. After the season with Simeon Nikolov in this position, one of the great figures of world volleyball – Luciano De Cecco – is coming to the Russian team.
It was the frequent changes in the most important position that became one of the main topics of Lokomotiv's press conference before the new season. The question to Konstantinov was posed directly – after Konstantin Abaev came Igor Kobzar, after him Simeon Nikolov, and now Lokomotiv is starting again with a new setter.
The Bulgarian coach admitted that such a situation is far from to his liking.
"I am not at all thrilled about changing players every year, especially setters. Every year you start from scratch with all the interactions. In the long run, this always turns out to be a disadvantage. Teams that keep their rosters start three steps ahead of you," Konstantinov stated.
This time, Lokomotiv's choice is Luciano De Cecco. Konstantinov revealed that even during his conversations with the Argentinian and his agent, he wanted to understand if the experienced setter still had enough motivation to maintain the highest level.
"He told me that his motivation is the Olympic Games. If he can reach a final Olympics in his career, that is his motivation," Konstantinov recounted.
According to the Bulgarian specialist, De Cecco had offers from various leagues, including financially good ones, but he preferred Novosibirsk because he knew he would be part of a team that would fight for top places.
Konstantinov also noted another advantage – De Cecco already knows the specifics of Russian volleyball and the long journeys in the local championship(editor's note – the Argentinian played for Dinamo-Yantar (Kaliningrad) in the 2009/10 season). According to the coach, this will save him the initial shock of the huge distances and constant air travel.
The signing of the Argentinian also has another goal. Konstantinov expects his vast experience to help in the development of the young setter Krechetov.
"I think they are very similar – both in anthropometry and in ball touch. This will be useful for Krechetov because he can get things from Luciano that only another player, not a coach, can give you. I believe in this boy. I see many interesting things in him," Konstantinov explained.
The Bulgarian specialist expects De Cecco's experience and qualities to allow him to relatively quickly build the necessary interactions with his teammates, even though the Argentinian will join Lokomotiv's preparation later.
Konstantinov also commented on the club's transfer strategy. Lokomotiv starts the season with only one foreign player but retains the option to react on the fly if there is a need to strengthen a certain position.
"If a foreign player can make a difference, if he is stronger or can add something to a given position and strengthen the team, then it makes sense. But if he is approximately at the level of our players, why bring in a foreigner in this situation?" Konstantinov explained.
The coaching staff first wants to see how the available players, including the young ones, will perform when the training process is replaced by the pressure of official matches.
"So far, in the training process, everything is relatively even. We will see when psychology, matches, and responsibility come into play. Then we might get an answer about what we need and whether we need to strengthen the team during the season," Konstantinov said.
The changes in the squad are one of the reasons why the Bulgarian specialist is cautious when talking about Lokomotiv's chances in the battle for the championship title.
"I wouldn't say that this team is ready to fight for the championship title. I think perhaps last year we had more chances than this year. Teams that kept their rosters have an advantage," Konstantinov stated.
Among the competitors, he singled out Dinamo (Moscow), which, in his opinion, enters the season as the main favorite.
"For everyone, they are the main favorite, and that's not very good, because this year they look too obviously stronger than the rest," commented the Bulgarian coach.
Konstantinov also expects serious competition from Belgorod, where, in his opinion, retaining a large part of the squad is also a significant advantage.
"I think Belgorod will be a dangerous team this year. They also largely kept their squad and added something that will help them a lot. Belgorod is becoming a very dangerous team," he said.
For Lokomotiv, Konstantinov prefers the first matches to show the team's real place in the new distribution of power.
"On the fly, we will see where our level is and we will assess the situation. But I believe we can always fight for the top places," stated the Bulgarian specialist.
The Russian Cup holds a special place in his plans. The final tournament will be in Novosibirsk, and Konstantinov defines it as the main focus for Lokomotiv during the anniversary season.
"We must not forget that this is an anniversary season for us. I believe that the main tournament for the team, the city, and the club will be the Russian Cup final here. For us, this will be the most important tournament this year. We must give it our all there," Konstantinov was categorical.
The Bulgarian coach hopes that playing at home and the support from the stands will give Lokomotiv an additional advantage against opponents who appear stronger on paper.
"We hope the home arena will give us what we might be lacking in terms of level or quality. Previous seasons have shown that we can count on our fans. It remains for us to take advantage of this, and for it to give us the strength to fight even with teams that are stronger on paper," Plamen Konstantinov concluded.