A new football season has started and two rounds of Supreme League of Georgian national championship has ended up. “Torpedo” Kutaisi, as well as other teams, held two matches. “Torpedo” held the first match on its own field and lost against “Zestafoni” 1:2. In the second round, the club beat “Dila” Gori 1:0. “World Sport” talked to head coach of “Torpedo” Giorgi Kiknadze.

- How can you estimate last two rounds?

- The season starts hard. We held the first match against such team which was on optimal form and that is why we lost. Then, we won in Gori and took three points.

- Cup match against “Meskheti”?

- We knew that we will play against “Dinamo” on August 21. So, some players of the main staff did not play against “Meskheti”. Then, we found out that the match against “Dinamo” was cancelled.

- Did this fact change plans?

- Of course. We would have played with the main staff against “Meskheti” and we would not have won 2:0. We found out yesterday that the match is cancelled. It would have been better if we had known it earlier.

- Did you plan to strengthen the team?

- Now it is not time to test someone. If there is a player to sign contract with we will transfer him for sure.

- Which line do you want to strengthen?

- We will not refuse to transfer a good player.

- Were there talks about the return of Malkhaz Asatiani in “Torpedo”?

- I have not talked to Malkhaz. The management of the club met him but he does not want to play in Georgia now.

- There were some rumors that Levan Kenia might continue his career in “Torpedo”.

- There were not talks about this issue. Levan will join the club at the beginning of September.

- Which club? As we know, Levan is going to leave “Schalke”.

- No, he is still in “Schalke”.

- In the end, how can you estimate competition of Georgian clubs at European tournaments?

- I am happy that Georgian clubs are competing successfully. I think “Zestafoni” was close to Champions League. If “Zestafoni” had played against “Sturm” as it played against “Bruges”, the club would have gone through the next round where they would have played against Belarusian Bate. I think “Dinamo” has chance of getting in the group of Europa League. 

Aleksandre Paikidze