The Russian national football team suffered a major defeat from Belgium in the qualifying match of the European Championship in 2020 and lost the chance to leave Group I from first place. The meeting, held in St. Petersburg, ended with a score of 1: 4 in favor of the guests.
Many experts noted the significant superiority of the wards of Roberto Martinez in the class, which became noticeable immediately after the starting whistle.
“Do we have someone who is comparable to Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukak? After the World Cup, everyone was delighted with the level of our team, and why? We have not done anything. They just left the group from which it was necessary to leave. Alexander Golovin and Denis Cheryshev were not enough. Two key figures in the national team. They are just those who score and give away passes, ”the Championship quotes ex-football player Alexander Mostovoy.
Former defender of the USSR national team Alexander Bubnov also expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of the wards of Stanislav Cherchesov. He emphasized that the opponent acted half-heartedly. Otherwise, the difference in the score could be much larger.
“The result of this meeting primarily demonstrates the significant difference in the class of teams. By and large, the Belgians played their strength only in the first half, when they threw three unanswered goals to our team. After the break, the guests switched to the economy mode so as not to spend too much energy and not to get unnecessary injury, ”the Sportbox expert quotes.
In addition, he suggested that the coaching staff chose the wrong tactics. In his opinion, the Russians should have given the Belgians the initiative on the field, and tried to create dangerous moments themselves through counterattacks.
“In the end, everything turned out the other way around, which was to the advantage of the Belgians, who did not allow the Russians to realize the territorial advantage. Surely Cherchesov set the task to win and try to take first place - hence the choice of tactics and plan for the match. But the class of teams is so different that it did not work, but turned into a devastating defeat, ”concluded Bubnov.
Former midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis noted that after a series of victories in the qualifying round, many began to overestimate the capabilities of the Russian team, forgetting about its true level.
“Everything is natural and in the case. Two different teams played. The account speaks for itself. A lot of things were said, but everyone was engaged in populism, shouting "Hurray-hooray!" Here’s a rival that you need to equal, with whom you need to go out and play, and prove, and then give different bets, tell everyone that our football is in order, ”the ex-football player told the Championship.
At the same time, he did not blame the failure of the players, since, in his opinion, they showed their maximum.
“Remembering the national team since Soviet times, I repeat, this is one of the weakest teams in the history of individual skills of football players. In any case, we completed the task, went to the European Championship. We need to prepare for games with teams at the level of Belgium, ”added Kanchelskis.
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In addition to the unsuccessful actions of field football players, a large number of questions were raised by specialists in the game of goalkeeper of the Russian national team Guillerme.
“We will not say that this is a cold shower for our players. They must understand that they are a team with an extraordinary dedication, which was shown at the World Cup. This must be demonstrated at the continental championship, this is the key to success. Goalkeeper's unconvincing game affected the result. I believe that he should have pulled out three of the four goals conceded, ”Sport24 quotes the former head coach of the national team Valery Gazzayev.
In anticipation of the current match, rumors appeared about the possible return to the national team of CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. According to former midfielder Roland Gusev, this is necessary so that the team can count on a positive result in such confrontations.
“First of all, the goalkeeper position is very lame. Today we are at the level where we are. Belgium just plays in the majority in the top European championships, and we in the Russian Premier League (RPL). If the team is average, you should always start playing well with the defense, and there will be no problems with the “bus” behind. If the team wants to achieve results, Akinfeev must be returned. It is important. He must be returned by any means, ”Gusev is sure.
At the same time, Spartak veteran Valery Reingold accused Cherchesov of defeat.
“I declare openly that Stanislav Cherchesov didn’t set up the team like that and chose the absolutely wrong tactics. To concede four goals at home is, of course, a shame. Belgium is not such a strong team, if you play with them seriously, in touch, act personally. And our team ran, and where did she run? They were stripped naked. I repeat once again: Cherchesov is to blame for everything, ”said Reinhold.
At the same time, some experts expressed the opposite point of view. In their opinion, one should not judge the situation of the Russian national team in one match with Belgium.
“This defeat does not show our level, just an unsuccessful game, especially as a result. Somewhere coincidence - the Belgians scored everything they created. We had good opportunities, but failed. The coaching staff will draw the right conclusions, ”said former goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov.
Former midfielder Igor Gamula also urged not to rush to criticize the national team, around which the atmosphere is constantly growing.
“Ours did not stand behind, did not fight back, but tried to play football, with great strength went forward. It’s just that the opponent was stronger. It happens. I am sure that we can still add to the European Championship. Golovin and Cheryshev will return to operation, Anton Miranchuk, Alexander Erokhin, Daler Kuzyaev will take shape after injuries ... Yes, we have a good team! At the world championship we proved this. So we will believe and be sick, ”Sport-Express quotes Gamula as saying.
Supported wards Cherchesov and the Russian national rugby team. Recall that at the beginning of October they lost significantly to Scotland at the World Cup in Japan. The next day, the players defeated the British with a score of 4: 0, thereby “avenging” compatriots.
“Don’t worry, we have a game with Belgium in February, it’s our turn to take revenge,” says a post published on the official rugby team’s Twitter.