Shot on Ionov's crossbar, Smolnikov's passes and problems with creation: Russia drew with Hungary in the League of Nations

Hungary's losses and Cherchesov's rage

In the last decade, the matches with Hungary, as a rule, have been of crucial importance for the coaches of the Russian national team.

The faded game in Gyor in March 2010 (1: 1) became the last in the head of the team for Guus Hiddink, with whom, as they say in such cases, the era has passed.

The victory in Budapest in June 2017 (3: 0), on the contrary, significantly strengthened the position of Stanislav Cherchesov.

After three defeats to average rivals and one draw in five control meetings in preparation for the Confederations Cup, information appeared that the leadership of the Russian Football Union (RFU) was dissatisfied with the work of a specialist.

However, the success in the match with the Hungarians, achieved with a quality game, calmed the management.

Cherchesov retained his post, and a year later brought the national team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The Russians had to perform again in Budapest on September 6, 2020, when Hungary restricted the entry of foreigners into the country due to a difficult epidemiological situation.

A month and a half ago, Cherchesov's wards spent two halves completely different from each other.

Having scored three goals into the opponent's goal, the guests pressed against the goal and conceded two in return. 

As a result of the match with Turkey, changes in the Russian national team suggested themselves, especially since the game against the Hungarians became the third for the hosts in seven days.

Nevertheless, Cherchesov limited himself to only one permutation.

Instead of Vyacheslav Karavaev, Igor Smolnikov appeared on the right flank of the defense.

Probably, such a decision of the head coach could be regarded as a desire to add reliability in defense.

Judging by the behavior and appearance of the coach, he was extremely dissatisfied with the lack of victories in recent meetings.

And in some ways Cherchesov could be understood.

Indeed, in addition to Alexei Miranchuk and Alexander Golovin, who were eliminated due to injuries, during the training camp in Novogorsk, he lost two performers who would definitely have entered the field from the first minutes - Georgy Djikia and Mario Fernandez.

Both left the location of the national team ahead of schedule due to questionable tests for COVID-19.

Not without a serious loss and the Hungarian national team.

The most expensive Hungarian footballer (according to Transfermarkt) Dominik Soboslai was not released from Austria, where he defends the colors of the local Salzburg, due to quarantine.

However, the guests also had reinforcements: the naturalized Frenchman Loic Nego, who had been playing in the Hungarian Championship for a long time, appeared on the right flank of the defense.

He made his debut for this national team on October 8 in a match with the Bulgarians.

One shot by Russia on goal and Shunin's save

The meeting at the VTB-Arena began alarmingly for the Russians.

In the first minute, Anton Shunin parried the blow of Nemanja Nikolic, who escaped to a rendezvous with the goalkeeper in the center of the penalty area.

Fortunately for Cherchesov, referee Michael Oliver recorded an offside position.

After that, the home team firmly seized the initiative, attacking with large forces.

In one of the offensives, Magomed Ozdoev ended up in a shock position.

He could hit from an acute angle, but preferred to pass to the center.

It turned out cleverly, but imprecise.

In the 25th minute, Artyom Dzyuba reminded of himself.

The captain accelerated with the ball and forced the opponent to foul.

Endre Botke was worth a warning at the moment.

As for the rest, a game was going on on the field, in which it was difficult for Dziuba to show his best qualities.

The Hungarians defended highly and showed good movement.

The Russians preferred to attack with the flanks.

Smolnikov was especially active, passing and hanging in the penalty area after solo passes.

In this situation, the trio of Daler Kuzyaev, Anton Miranchuk and Alexey Ionov was not very noticeable.

The Russian team carried out their most dangerous attack in the first half already in stoppage time.

Ionov dragged the ball and gave it to Dziuba: the stadium froze in anticipation of a goal, but the striker failed to score.

At the last moment, goalkeeper Denesh Dibush touched the ball with his fingertips.

The owners, who immediately felt their courage, had another chance.

Oliver's whistle for the break was very useful for the Hungarians.

Successful replacements and missed opportunities

With the resumption of the game, it suddenly became clear that this time Cherchesov had made a bet on the second 45-minute.

If in previous meetings his players invariably gave up after the break, now they seem to have decided to outwit the opponent.

In the 53rd minute, the Russians finally hit the target on target: Ozdoev missed the ball to Dziuba, but he failed to break through the goalkeeper.

Cherchesov immediately made a double substitution.

Kuzyaev and Miranchuk gave way to Zelimkhan Bakaev and Andrey Mostovy.

But Ionov was the first to react to the rearrangement.

As if inspired by the fact that it was not him who had been changed, the midfielder scored a powerful blow to the crossbar.

To the disappointment of the stands, the ball bounced into the field in front of the goal line, not behind it.

The finishing off performed by Roman Zobnin turned out to be unsuccessful, but he immediately showed the referee that the ball, after hitting, hit the guest player's hand.

Oliver found no reason to award a penalty.

Bakaev and Mostovoy clearly gave the team a rhythm in the attack.

The Zenit midfielder was especially impressive with his individual skill, who did not “float” after the return substitution in the match with the Turks, but undertook to prove his own necessity to Cherchesov.

Towards the end of the meeting, the coaching staff of the Russian national team switched to a game of two forwards.

Dziube's company was made up by another tall powerful football player - Alexander Sobolev, who replaced Ozdoev, who received a painful blow.

Logically, there were awnings in the penalty area, but there were almost none.

Sobolev did not even have time to get an opportunity to strike from an advantageous position.

True, his exit cannot be called unsuccessful.

The Spartak player was very active, and in one of the episodes he forced his opponent to break the rules on himself at the cost of a yellow card.

Already in the endgame, the Russians spun a real attacking carousel near Dibush's possessions.

Only the last pass was missing.

As a result, after three minutes added to the main time, “zeros” remained on the display.

Having shown good football in the second half, the Russian team was unable to win.

Until the November matches, Russia will continue to lead the group with eight points.

The Hungarians have seven points to their credit.

The Turks and Serbs also broke up in peace in Istanbul - 2: 2, and the owners were able to recoup from the score 0: 2.

Cherchesov's charges will meet with the Turks on November 15, with the Serbs on November 18.

Both meetings will take place on the road.