Ramik Gadzhiyev: "I didn't feel lonely, even during the injury"

Winger of "Metalist 1925" Ramik Hadzhiev told about his recovery after injury, support from the club and teammates, and also shared expectations regarding the timing of his return to the full group:

– Well, Ramik, you started running after a very long break, what are your first emotions now?

– I am very happy that I have finally started the final stage of rehabilitation. I did a lot of work in Serbia, I was there for three months. It was hard, but now I am very happy that I can run already. The final stage is left, I don't know how long it will take. It could be two weeks or a month. It's good that I have started running, just a little left.

– Today you ran for the first time, how difficult was it overall? If we can talk about a percentage of readiness, how would you rate your readiness?

– I can't say in terms of percentages, but I need time. I haven't run for 5 months, and of course, there is discomfort, a little pain now. I need time to warm up, for my leg and the ligament I tore to get used to this load. It's a different job because I have regained some strength, stability as well, but I still have to go through the final stage. It will consist of running, strength work, and ball work. I think I'm at the final stage, I'm about 65-70% ready.

– You had a serious injury, a long recovery, what was the hardest part of the recovery?

– Probably the first three months when I was on crutches. At first, they told me that I would get rid of them in a month and a half and start walking, but the bone was not healing as quickly, I needed more time. I was on crutches for three months, it was probably the hardest period because I really wanted to start walking and running, to recover faster.

– Although you are not yet in the full group, you are already with the guys, with the balls, recovery probably has a different emotional background, right?

– Yes, of course, I missed the guys a lot. It's like I haven't seen them for a long time, and that's actually true. I'm very happy to see everyone. I already see the balls, as you say, I'm working, I understand that there is very little left.

– Remember, what was the support from the club and teammates like during this recovery period?

– The support was very good, without their support, it would have been much harder for me. They always wrote to me, asked about my condition, said that I would come back stronger. They provided me with the best conditions for rehabilitation, I am very grateful to Bohdan Volodymyrovych Boyko for this. I am also very grateful to the management, coaching staff, staff, medical staff, and the whole team in general because they supported me a lot and provided the best conditions. I didn't feel alone, even during the injury, and I am very grateful to the team and the entire club for that.

– Ari Moura has recovered, other competitors in your position are also in shape, are you not afraid of serious competition on your native right flank?

– Nothing to be afraid of, I am already used to competition. Competition is always good, it will give me more motivation to work.

– You have a very important second stage of the season ahead. There will be crucial matches in the Cup and decisive games in the UPL, what is the team's overall mood for the second half of the season?

– Of course, team spirit, now to gain the maximum number of points. First of all, I believe that we need to show our best on the field, play well, and the results will come. We have a very strong team now, good competition. I believe we have all the chances to fight for European competitions. We also have the Cup ahead, where we also have very good chances, I believe that we will now do everything in our power to show the best game.