Dziuba’s popularity, Cherchesov’s confidence and expected full house: how the Russian team is preparing for the match with Kazakhstan

The Russian national football team has completed preparations for the match with Kazakhstan. On the eve of the meeting, Stanislav Cherchesov’s wards held a training session on the field of the Kaliningrad Arena stadium. The team arrived in the city itself on the eve of a direct charter flight from Glasgow.

At the passport control in Kaliningrad show the penalty shootout mast World Cup Russia 2018 - Spain 🙂📺 pic.twitter.com/CrgpbUv47t

In the homeland of the players of the first team of the country, a warm welcome awaited. Local residents prepared for the meeting in detail, surprises began even at the airport - in anticipation of passport control, the players were able to review the best moments of the 2018 World Cup match against Spain.

After going through all the official procedures, the team was embraced by the fans. They not only met their favorite athletes at the airport, but also waited for them after training.

Before training 📸🖍️ pic.twitter.com/y84gexYUjA

The most popular among the residents of Kaliningrad is captain Artyom Dziuba. Forward “Zenith” even prepared a personal gift in the form of a huge portrait.

Picture for Dziuba pic.twitter.com/wcDzkzjdH6

The pre-match lesson itself took place as usual. All 26 football players worked on the field without restrictions.

“We have a fight strategy”

After the training, the head coach of the team and goalkeeper Marinato Guillerme talked with reporters.

Most of the questions were addressed to the mentor of the Russian team. At the very beginning of the conversation Cherchesov explained that although the team appeared on the field in full force, the medical headquarters nevertheless closely monitors individual players.

“Today during the lesson we carefully examined who was in what condition. Doctors reported to me who was hurting and sipping something. Have questions about Alexei Ionov. He complains of discomfort in the calf muscle. A decision on his participation in the match has not yet been made, we will decide tomorrow morning at a workout. And for him, and for the rest, ”the coach explained.

Continuing the topic of the functional training of the team, the specialist explained what components in the game of football players he paid attention to when choosing a roster for games with Scotland and Kazakhstan.

“We have already received figures of high-speed work on the field. They are similar to those that the team showed in a match with Belgium and Kazakhstan. But so far they are far from what was at the World Cup. This is due to the preparation time. A year ago, we were preparing a month. Now we’ve noticed some points and we hope that tomorrow the team will be quick and fresh, ”he explained.

In addition, the head coach told what his wards would do in the free hours remaining before the match.

“In general, we are not restricting anyone or anything. We have time for free visits, up to 22 hours. Thus, the players have the opportunity to chat with their families, however, today we’ll cut this slot down a bit, since tomorrow is the game. In the evening we will have a theory, we will put all the points. We need to concentrate as much as possible, ”Cherchesov said.

Next, we talked about the opponent. The specialist explained the danger of the Kazakh team, but noted that he knew how to defeat it.

“Their distinguishing feature is that in almost every match there are personnel shifts. In addition, the team plays very collectively. But we all know this, study and are ready to play not against individual players, but against their entire system. We have our own fighting strategy in the tournament, and we approach it correctly, ”the specialist explained.

In conclusion, Cherchesov drew attention to the game of Marinato Guillerme, who was sitting next to him. The head coach gave his goalkeeper a satisfactory mark for his work in the last meeting with Scotland.

“In the goalkeeper’s game, it’s absolutely not important what happened on the field. The main thing is what happens after a missed goal. I did not see that the team was taken aback, she had confidence in her abilities and everything went as intended. In such a situation, many would be lost, but Guillerme - no. He played at the top level, and for me it is most important, ”summed Chersesov.

The goalkeeper himself first noted the team game and emphasized that the three points earned in Glasgow gave the team confidence in their abilities.

“It was extremely important for us to win that match. The result is important because at first we remained catching up, but we were able to turn the tide and left it with dignity. Such matches give self-confidence. They criticized and supported me in social networks, but I take this calmly, ”said Guillerme.

In addition, the national team player admitted that although the national team of Russia is significantly superior to the rival in skill and class, the game with Kazakhstan will not be easy.

“For me personally, this opponent is very uncomfortable. Winning will be crucial. as fundamentally as in the first game, which we won 4-0. We play at home, so we must take points and please the audience, ”the goalkeeper summed up.

The Euro 2020 qualifying round match between Russia and Kazakhstan will take place on Monday, September 9, and will begin at 21:45 Moscow time.

A full house is expected on the game - by the time the material is released, less than one thousand tickets are left on sale. The stadium itself seats 35 thousand spectators.