Interview: Giorgi Maisuradze on the season ahead

At 31, Giorgi Maisuradze is entering his 14th season at Lineuper and his sixth as captain. We sat down with him after training to ask about the season ahead, the new head coach and the weight of the number 10 shirt.

How does the squad look this year?

Hungrier than ever. We have young players who want to prove themselves and older ones who remember what it feels like to lift a trophy. Luka Beridze has brought pace on the left, Dato Shervashidze has brought energy to the midfield, and Nika behind us gives everyone confidence.

What has coach Kapanadze changed?

He wants us to attack with the ball and defend with the ball. Training is faster, with more small-sided games and fewer long lectures. He also asks every player to name one goal for the season, and then he reminds you of it in the corridor.

I remember my first derby, I was 18. My hands were shaking. The truth is that I still get nervous. If you stop being nervous, you should stop playing.

Quick questions

• Pre-match meal: pasta with a little khachapuri, if the nutritionist is not looking.
• Best goal for the club: the free kick against Tergi in 2023.
• Most memorable atmosphere: the trophy parade last May.
• Advice to academy players: be early, be kind, be curious.

What do you want from the supporters?

The same as always: sing even when we are losing. People talk about the twelfth man, but at Lineuper it is the eighteen-thousandth. When the stadium is loud, the opponent's pass becomes slower. I have felt it from the pitch.

We finished by asking what he will say to the squad before the first match of the season. He smiled. "Look up at the stands, then look at each other. That is all we need to know."