In the opening round of the Russian Premier League, FC Pari NN was unsuccessful.

      Nizhny Novgorod fans eagerly and hopefully awaited the first official match of the "Parizhans" in the new season. But miracles did not happen. Our team's new head coach, Aleksei Shpilevskiy, began his career in Russia with an unfortunate defeat against the reigning champions, Krasnodar.

      A few days before the start of the championship, FC "Pari NN" held a press conference where they discussed their expectations, goals, and prospects.

      "I believe that all the mistakes of last season will be corrected," said the club's general director, David Melik-Guseynov. "I believe that we will overcome all difficulties and ultimately build a full-format RPL club. The goal for the season remains unchanged – to be in the top ten of the strongest. Nizhny Novgorod residents want to see exciting football, and victories are achieved by those with strong spirit. We should not think about 'play-offs', nor dwell on summer events. We must keep our course strictly upward!"

      David Valeryevich also reminded journalists that besides the main team, there is a large academy with about 600 young footballers. Not long ago, it merged into the club’s structure — previously, it was a separate legal entity with its own owners. Over the past season, academy teams significantly improved in the Youth Football League (YFL) and other competitions.

      "Our academy players have started appearing in the main team. It’s clear we don’t expect results immediately. But, for the first time in my memory, players who went through the youth system broke into the main squad. We want to do this for our fans. They want to support Nizhny Novgorod guys. Also, our academy includes women’s teams. And I believe women’s football has a future," added Melik-Guseynov.

      The club’s sporting director, Aleksandr Udaltsov, noted that, according to regulations, although the team lost in the play-offs, it rightfully remained in the RPL after Khimki was disbanded.

      "The past season was tough and ambiguous for our team, with a blurred ending," acknowledged the official. "During the offseason, we were in a state of suspension because we didn’t fully understand our future. Naturally, it was very difficult to be in such an emotional state. But in the end, we stayed in the RPL. With Aleksei Shpilevskiy and his coaching staff, the training process and team play have changed, which is obvious. We approach strengthening the squad meticulously. We want to minimize mistakes and are very thorough about this process."

      Udaltsov also told journalists that the club is close to signing a contract with 27-year-old Dynamo Kyiv trainee Daniil Lesov. Later, it was announced that the former Ukraine U19 and Russian U21 national team player had become a player for our team for three years. He has over a hundred matches in the RPL for Tula Arsenal and Moscow Dynamo. Last season, he played for Cypriot club AEL, scoring 5 goals in 30 matches and providing 6 assists.

      The new head coach of FC "Pari NN", Aleksei Shpilevskiy, did not make any grand promises but stated that he fears no one and nothing.

      "We want to develop the club, bring more dynamics and unpredictability to the game. But, again, all this takes time," emphasized the coach. "My philosophy is to act actively in every phase of the game. I want to see this from each player. I am glad we have an open, sincere, motivated team that I enjoy working with. I am pleased with how the guys dedicate themselves at each training session. I feel they like it too. The main thing is to believe in yourself and move forward step by step. A football club must have its DNA, philosophy, and style. I fear nothing. If after three or four matches I have to leave, so be it; I will analyze the mistakes. We are not afraid of club names or brands—that’s how we build our football."

      Despite the Sunday defeat in Kazan (where the Nizhny Novgorod team played their essentially home match) against Krasnodar with a score of 0:3, Shpilevskiy declared he is proud of his team and does not intend to blame his players for individual mistakes, including defender Viktor Alexandrov, who scored an own goal.

      The Volga team played the following lineup: Medvedev, Castillo (Caccojev, 84), Alexandrov, Karich, Shnaptsev, Karapuzov (Ivlev, 64), Maiga, Tichich (Yermakov, 75), Lesov (Vesino, 64), Boselli, Grulev.

      In the next round, the "Parizhans" face another challenge. In Samara, the revamped Krylia Sovetov, with a new head coach Magomed Adiev, who previously worked in Nizhny, await. The Volga derby promises to be hot!

      Dmitry Vityugov. Photo vk.com/fcparinn.

      In the photo: Nizhny Novgorod newcomer Daniil Lesov immediately secured a spot in the starting lineup.