Zdravko Zdravov from China: I have no doubt that Ludogorets will become the champion once again

PFC Ludogorets continues with the series of interviews during the COVID-19 outbreak. We spoke to the ex-gatekeeper coach Zdravko Zdravkov who is now employed at the Guizhou Hengfeng. Zdravkov shared details about the way the Chinese battled coronavirus.

- Where are you today?
- We are in the middle of our camp in Guizhou, which is located in south China.

- How do you typically spend your day there? 
- My team and I practice on a daily basis. We spent 12 days under quarantine after we came back from Europe on the 10^th of March. It was obligatory.

- Where were you during the outbreak?
- We were training in Thailand. We had no way of coming back, so we went to Europe – in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Chinese residents don’t need a visa to enter. After the outbreak in Italy, we had to come back to China.

- Is the coronavirus outbreak under control in China? 
- It is, and it improves every day. There are no new cases here. The borders are closed for foreigners except for Beijing and Guangzhou airports. Things were super-strict during the outbreak. Everyone who comes from abroad is put under quarantine and they even stayed at hotels near the airports.

- Are there quarantined areas now? 
- No, it has been completely lifted.

- When will the championship begin? 
- It was about to start but a couple of players were diagnosed with COVID-19 ten days ago. One of them is Fellaini, an ex-Manchester United player.

- How did local authorities defeat the virus? 
- Дължим им поклон за усилията. With discipline. The Chinese are very strict, unlike the Europeans. Democracy means freedom, which is probably why Europe finds it harder to cope with the virus fast. The people here were careful, they followed all the rules. Some wore special protectors except for gloves and masks. They all understood the seriousness of the situation. The government measures are still valid. Local use mobile apps showing their health status. Restaurants were redesigned to have space between tables. I am grateful to all medics who stood on the line and risked their lives.

- Is the Chinese discipline what helped the coronavirus defeat?
- It is one of the main reasons, yes. Self-discipline and following the rules is what it takes. I know people in Bulgaria still underestimate how serious things are. They should be more careful and thoughtful.

- What do the Chinese think of the European and the American approach to the situation?
- As far as I know, everyone who asked China for help, got what they needed. I know Serbia did. China sent teams and supplies to Italy. The Chinese are compassionate and they only wonder why Europe did not react faster.

- Is it true that the Chinese have developed a remedy of COVID-19?
- Доколкото знам, има някакъв японски препарат, който влияе добре върху лечението. Но няма 100-процентова гаранция. There is a Japanese medication that is supposed to help the treatment but there is not a 100-percent guarantee about it.

- Do you follow Ludogorets’ performance? 
- Of course I do. I am really keen on watching them play. I am also happy that they performed great in the European tournaments and I have no doubt they will be the champions of Bulgaria once again. Good luck to you all!