Borscht, Barça and an impossible dream

Argentinian forward Alejandro Domínguez looks back over FC Rubin Kazan's remarkable win at FC Barcelona on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League, reveals his taste for Russian pastry and explains why he has stopped whistling in the latest in our series of Q&A's with uefa.com readers.

Two months ago, what would you have said if someone had told you Rubin would lead their Champions League group after three matches?
Michael, Tirol

Alejandro Domínguez: That it was impossible! We have no experience in European competition and given the group we were drawn in, it was unthinkable this might happen. We didn't even dream of qualifying. When we found out what group we were in, personally I was pleased, and thinking about enjoying games at venues like Camp Nou and San Siro and facing players of the highest quality in packed stadiums. Opportunities like this don't come along every day and you have to enjoy them. But most of my team-mates were very worried. I think in South America we have a different view of these kinds of games to Russians. But I personally took it as great news.

Rubin's willingness to keep the ball down and play it around against Barcelona really impressed me. Where did you get the courage to do that?
George-Cristian Andreescu, Romania

Domínguez: I've loved playing that way since I was a kid. That's how we do it in Argentina. But, there were particular circumstances that forced us to play that way. We didn't have Aleksandr Bukharov, who was out with a wrist injury. He is the tallest lad we have, and our target in the box for long balls and crosses. It's his job to chest it down and create chances for the players running on from behind. Without him, it was very difficult to play in the air. On top of that, we knew it was fundamental to keep possession, to give ourselves a chance to rest and breathe a little, because Barça generally recover possession very quickly and when they have the ball they're so good at keeping it that as an opponent, you spend most of the game running after them and unable to steal the ball back. That tires you out, which also leads to lapses in concentration. So we knew we had to keep the ball!

Hello Alejandro! Just a quick question that bothers every single fan in Kazan. Are you going to leave Kazan this winter to live in Spain and enjoy Spanish sun or are you going to stay in Kazan where every single person literally LOVES you?
Albert Abdullin

Domínguez: Actually this is my sixth season in Russian football and my family and I need a change of air, to live a lifestyle more similar to where we belong. I'd like to experience what it's like playing in other leagues. I haven't decided on my destination yet. Whether it'll be Spain or not depends on the offers. But I'm aware my contract expires on 31 December and I will look for a change, because it's time for a new challenge. My decision won't change even if we advance in the Champions League. Obviously, Rubin fans will always be in my heart, because this is a club where I have felt totally comfortable, where I was treated wonderfully, and where I played good football. And it was the first foreign club I played for, which is something special that lasts forever.

What has surprised you most about the Russian people, Russian football and Russian and Tatar traditions?
Roman Filippov, 18, Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia

Domínguez: Everything, in all honesty! Latins are very different to Russians. Our lifestyle is completely different. For example, people here say whistling brings bad luck, so if they catch you whistling in a lift or in the supermarket, they ask you to stop. It was very weird for me, and hard to adjust to stop whistling. In football, one of the things I've noticed is that there is a very cautious approach to the game. Tactics are basically sketched around thinking defensively, and then, if it's possible, counterattacking. That's why Russian football has become so effective. I can't comment on the food because I've kept the same diet, as my wife is a very good cook. But I have started eating a beetroot soup called borscht, and piroshki, which is like a pastry.

You have scored eight penalties this season. What's the secret?
James Spent, Montreal, Canada

Domínguez: I don't have a secret, but even if I had one, I wouldn't tell you because it would be more difficult to keep scoring. What I can say is I try to approach the situation calmly and I don't have a preferred post to aim at, because today's goalkeepers study you all the time and you can’t always take the same shot. You must surprise them. If the circumstances are difficult or you are feeling the pressure, a strong shot helps. If not, a soft shot to one of the sides. I decide what to do steps before taking the shot. If the keeper moves to one side, I send it to the other. So far I've been lucky to score every time.

Which team do you support apart from Rubin? Who is your favourite player?
lksndrvrman

Domínguez: I don't have a favourite club or player. Never had one, except for Maradona, as is the case with most of my compatriots. Diego was the people's idol and so was mine too. After him, I've never seen a player I admired so much as to say: "Wow I wish I could be like him." Everyone has his own style. I’ve got my own, too, and I like it, even if I'm trying to add more stuff all the time. I believe you must always try to get better, to see what's missing, to improve. Messi is the most decisive player at the moment, with Ronaldo and Kaká close behind. They are the best players in the world. Sometimes Messi is the best, sometimes Ronaldo, sometimes Kaká. They are human beings, too, and they can't maintain their standard all the time. But Messi is the most explosive.

What is the best thing about a Russian winter?
Ulf Svensson, 14, Stockholm, Sweden

Domínguez: Watching the snow falling from a very well heated room and then going out for a short walk through the white city. But just for a little while, because it’s extremely cold out there, and cold is no fun, really.

uefa.com will run the second part of this interview with Alejandro Domínguez on Monday ahead of Matchday 4. Your questions were put to him by Martin Mazur.