In June this year, 20-year-old Vladislav Karapuzov made his way to the Dynamo first team, making his debut in the derby against CSKA under Kirill Novikov. Before the coach left, Karapuzov played nine games in the RPL, but since the appointment of Sandro Schwarz he has only appeared against Tambov, while constantly training with the first team and being included in matchday squads.

Before the match against Rostov, Karapuzov trained with the youth team and took part in the highest-scoring match in the history of the Youth Championship. Dynamo and Chertanovo scored 14 goals between them, 11 of them by Dynamo, which is also a league record. Karapuzov played the full match and scored one goal.

"The coaches always say that you need to play"

You have been training with the senior squad since the summer. Who invited you to play for the youth team?
– On the eve of the match, the coaching staff of the main team told me that I would play for the youth team. I just answered: "Okay, fine."

How did the coaches explain this move?
– They say that I need to play, get practice, and I also believe that this is true.

Was it easier to play at youth level after the RPL?
– As far as I know, Chertanovo had problems with the squad, as the main team played a match in the FNL and there were a lot of players from their youth team involved. It is clear that the age difference was significant. Because of this, the game turned out like it did.

Have you ever participated in such matches in your career when your team scored 11 goals?
– Maybe it happened when I was a child, when I had just started playing football, but at youth and adult level, this has not happened yet.

Do you know that your match was a record-breaking performance?
– Yes, it's cool that we are now record holders. Now let the other clubs try to beat us!

You scored when Dynamo were already 7-3 up. What moved the team not to stop scoring further?
– It's always nice to score. I wanted to score all game, connect to attacks, and partners rewarded me in one of the moments.

Have the first-team coaches already discussed the match with you?
– They were at the match, I saw them after the game at the training ground. The coaches, including Sandro Schwarz, congratulated us on the victory and said that we played well. Now I continue training with the main team.

“Schwarz's demand is aggressive, attacking football. I think he is happy”

Since the arrival of Schwarz, you’ve only played once for the main team, against Tambov. Do you understand why you stopped getting game time?
– This is football. The coaching staff has changed, and my job as a young player is to prove my level and earn my place. I continue to work and believe that the effort will pay off with playing time.

What does Schwarz ask you to work on additionally?
– The coaches moved me to a different position; now they see me as a right-back. I’ve only played in this position for the youth team, but I’ve also played there for the second team in the PFL. Now I am learning to perform as correctly and effectively as possible in this position, because I have never played it before.

Is this transition difficult?
– This is an interesting experience, it will go in the bank. I will add to the team, and develop my understanding of the game. I fully trust the opinion of our coaching staff.

Sergey Parshivlyuk plays in this position for Dynamo. Does he help you get used to it?
– I mostly communicate with Zaurbek Pliev. He has also had a very good career, and has given me advice. Other guys can also speak to me. They are adult friends who have gained a lot of experience, and I listen to their opinions and try to fulfill them.

Do you also follow the game of other right-backs from world football to learn something?
– Of course. I immediately looked at how top players play in order to learn something, and to understand how to act in general. For me, the best right-back at the moment is Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool. I watched him and other European defenders who join attacks.

What would you like to learn from Alexander-Arnold?
– His understanding of the game. He is a very smart player; he knows when he needs to run and support, to calm the game, or to raise the tempo.

Under Schwarz other young players have got chances. How does he build his work with young people?
– Those who show themselves well in training have a chance to prove themselves in matches. Tyukavin played against Tambov, earned a penalty, and he was picked in the following matches. At the same time, Zakharyan also played - admittedly with fewer minutes, but he is only 17 years old. He will still have the opportunity to show himself, 100 percent. Now he also plays very well for the youth team.

Do Schwarz or his assistants communicate with you as well?
– Our coaching staff always does this: they guide and advise the players.

Anton Shunin recalled one of Schwartz's innovations - no one goes to the dining room without the captain. What other requirements did the coach introduce in the team?
– There was nothing else in everyday life, and everyone saw the demands on the football field in recent matches; aggressive, attacking football. I think he's happy. Although we didn't win the derby, I think we deserved to win.

“I remember the game against Vlasic, it was a good experience”

You made your debut for Dynamo under Kirill Novikov. Were you worried about him leaving?
– I am very grateful to Kirill Alexandrovich and his staff for giving me a chance. I played a lot of matches with him in the RPL. But I think you have to understand from an early age that everything changes in football every day. You just need to keep the level of your game and prove yourself, then everything will be fine.

Did he wish you something before leaving?
– He said goodbye to the team, said many thanks to everyone for their work, but there was no personal conversation. I think when the time comes, we'll meet and he'll say something.

You played your first RPL match in June against CSKA; after the match you said that you learned about starting right before the game. How quickly did you get used to such a high level?
– We had two friendly games with Lokomotiv and Spartak, where everyone mostly played a half. But it is clear that before the match with CSKA there was excitement. After all, this was the first game for the main team; I hadn’t even made a matchday squad before. Then with each game you feel confident that it's time to act, and no one will look at your age.

How did you try to overcome the excitement?
– We have a very good team and everyone supported us before and during the game. I felt a pleasant atmosphere. With the first moments, all the excitement always goes away, and you are already completely in the game.

You recall that you had to play against Nikola Vlasic. Was it difficult?
– Vlasic shows his high level in all matches. I remember playing against him, it was a good experience. If he didn't score, it means that the defensive performance can be considered a success. We didn’t really touch on this topic before the match, because then I was picked in an attacking position.

Who else was the most difficult opponent?
– There are no easy games in the RPL. Each match is remembered in its own way. I can't remember any of the other players who were difficult to play against, but from the big teams I only played against CSKA and Rostov.

You said that you were supported by all experienced guys. Is one of your older friends taking care of you?
– When I first started training with the first team, it turned out that I was on the same wing as Sergey Parshivlyuk and Grisha Morozov. They told me about the position, because they were located behind me. I can remember not only Pliev, but also Vladimir Rykov and Kirill Panchenko, they had a long career in football.

Dynamo are in the top four in the RPL. Are the team expected to return to European competition this season and get revenge for being knocked out early from the Europa League?
– I think we have shown that we can fight for European cups and prizes, and we will do everything for this. Of course, we are deeply hurt by the departure of the Europa League. I think we will return to European competitions and make every effort to do so.