The Russian team plays in two weeks. The squad has appeared, but there are no rivals yet
Grigory Telingater August 24, 2023, 16:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
There seems to be a deal on Qatar, but the RFU wants someone else.
The expanded application of the Russian team has been published; this news is highlighted in bold in the news. In social networks it waves with the lightning icon, implying the importance of the event. Although it is rather a matter of habit, because before it was of great importance. In February 2022, Russian football was suspended from international tournaments. The last really competitive match took place in November 2021. The rain in Croatia did not end well for us.
The last official match of the Russian team.
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, Championship
More than 20 months have passed since then. During this time, the Russian national team played five friendly matches: with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Iraq. Two wins and three draws, but it’s hard to take these matches seriously. The coach of the Russian national team Valery Karpin openly says that he calls not all the strongest, but those under 30 years old, to play in the team of the future. By the time international tournaments return.
For some reason this doesn’t apply to goalies. On the one hand, it is clear that they finish their career later. On the other hand, why field players play for the future, and at the door is 34-year-old Sergei Pesyakov, who, apparently, will never again play for the Russian national team in an official match. Now 36-year-old Anton Shunin and Mikhail Kerzhakov are on the expanded list. It turns out that the result in friendly matches is secondary, but only in field ones. And when Karpin says that in this aspect all the questions are for the goalkeeping coach, it seems a bit strange. Somehow we are used to seeing that the coaches are usually responsible for everything. Even considering that Vitaly Kafanov is a pivotal figure.
Sergey Pesyakov and Vitaly Kafanov
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
Not so long ago, Valery Karpin received questions about the composition from different directions: from agents Alexei Safonov and Polina Lelchuk, as well as from the wife of the former owner of Spartak, Zarema Salikhova. There was an indication of a conflict of interest. Still, the coach, in addition to the national team, also works with Rostov. Now we have seen a list in which only two represent this team: Danil Glebov and Nikolay Komlichenko. And this in an enlarged composition of 36 people. There may be even fewer Rostov players in the final list. Or not appear at all.
Toxicity in this regard, apparently, will be less. Although we remember the level of claims from the Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin. Sometimes it seems: it doesn’t matter what the coach of the Russian national team does. The attacks will be in any case. Karpin signed up for this the day he signed the contract. Although, in a sense, he at first did not agree with the current situation.
It is rare that the composition of the national team (albeit enlarged) appears before the rivals at the nearest training ground. It looks like there will be a match in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup stadium, but it’s not certain yet. Nothing has been officially announced yet. They say the documents have not yet been signed. And in general, there is no agreement with whom and where the Russian team will play the second match.
According to RFU President Alexander Dyukov, exactly two matches are planned. In addition, the meeting with Qatar is scheduled for September 12. Apparently, another game will be held before. For example, European teams will start this window on September 7. It’s about two weeks away. In a good way, the ticketing program should have already started, wherever the match was played. That is why we are waiting for news as soon as possible.
Zakharyan was not included in the extended list because he is mastering in Spain:
Zajaryan’s transfer to Lazio is important for the Russian team. More than it seems
