“Igor’s return to the national team is unlikely”: Malafeev about Akinfeev, mistakes Guillerma, 1: 7 from Portugal and youth

- How do you assess the prospects of the Russian team at the upcoming European Championship 2020?

- Everyone remembers the success of 2008, but we can safely say that the current team is able to repeat this achievement. Of course, the selection of players allows Russia to fight with the giants. Moreover, one cannot deny such a thing as the total value of the team. According to this parameter, the wards of Stanislav Cherchesov are noticeably inferior to many of the future rivals in the tournament.

- Should this be considered such an important factor?

- At least at the club level, it often very clearly reflects the difference between the teams. As a rule, better football players get the better of the less skilled ones.

- Nevertheless, this did not prevent Zenit from beating Manchester United in the 2008 UEFA Super Cup final. Is the reason that the match was for the most part exhibition?

- I do not agree with this wording. Perhaps he did not have such significance for Manchester United as for Zenit. We began to replay them, and the Mankunians could not even create dangerous moments. Undoubtedly, in the last 20-30 minutes we were pressed to the goal, but the pressure did not develop into goals. And this despite the fact that we made three forced replacements.

- What was the reason?

- In my opinion, the players of Manchester United are not configured. They thought that they would win easily. Like, “Zenith”, the owner of the UEFA Cup - what is it? I do not believe that any athlete does not want to take the trophy.

- Can the Russian team repeat the path of that “Zenith”, from which they did not expect victory in either the Cup or the UEFA Super Cup?

- I would like to believe in it. But the squad Cherchesova depends on the leaders. The maximum result is achieved exclusively by teams with pronounced leaders - in the mental or game plans.

- Who are the leaders in the national team now?

- Dziuba, Cheryshev, Miranchuk, Barinov, Dzhikiya. Partly Guillerme. There is a group of football players - a game is being built around them. It remains to be expected that all of them will approach the tournament in optimal conditions.

- Large international competitions are usually preceded by a long period of preparation. In your memory there were cases when the team did not have time to gain the necessary condition?

- During his career, he played at the European Championships three times and I remember the preparation for each of them. Football players managed to get in shape and lose it several times. It is enough to recall the championship of 2012, when a good start was replaced by failures.

- At the same time, the Russian national team is talking about the tasks of winning the Euro 2020. How to relate to this?

- Each is tuned to the maximum. If you do not set high goals, it is impossible to achieve even average results. We can say that under certain conditions, Russians are able not only to show good football, but also to solve serious problems.

- Do you personally like the game of the Cherchesov team?

- First of all, it brings results. Of course, a match for a match is not necessary, but in general, this style has the right to life.

- Consequently, something does not suit you in it?

“I can't say that.” It all depends on the state and tasks of the team at a particular moment. The game differs depending on the opponent, tournament tasks and other factors.

- Fans once again idolize the Russian team, are proud of the players. Can we say that this indicator is more important than the result?

- One is inextricably linked with the other. If there is a result, then you are loved, no - they are harshly criticized. But it is worth noting that the opinion of the fans is influenced by such an aspect as the dedication of the players. If the fans see that they demonstrate high dedication, athletic anger, a desire to get the upper hand, then even in case of failure they will treat them positively.

- Guillerme made serious mistakes in two important matches with Spartak and Juventus. How hard is it for him?

- For the goalkeeper, the main thing is to continue to work without giving any sign. Of course, he realizes that they will look at his actions through the prism of these mistakes. But at such moments the goalkeeper’s level is manifested. If in future meetings he acts confidently, he will become stronger.

- How did you deal with such pressure?

- There have also been episodes in my career when they poured mud on me. He tried not to pay attention to the conversations, took himself in hand and proved that I was number one.

- Now they say a lot about the fact that in the Russian team there was no serious rivalry in the goalkeeper line until the departure of Igor Akinfeev. Do you agree?

- Akinfeev does not like competition, it makes him nervous. He must be sure that he is playing. In training, no one tries to hurt him, push him, and during the match he does not stick his needles into the voodoo doll so that Igor gets injured. This balance has long been maintained in the team. Lack of interchangeability and rivalry benefited him.

- Did you stick to such an opinion, even when you played for the national team yourself?

- No, I came to this after the end of my career. Moreover, even then, finding himself in reserve, he understood that it was better not to touch Igor. He does not need support as such. Everyone knew that he would come out and perform at the proper level.

- And you?

- Of course. But like any football player, he was waiting in the wings, not wanting evil to Akinfeev.

- By the way, Cherchesov is often criticized for not attracting young goalkeepers to training in the main team and prefers veterans in the person of Soslan Dzhanaev and Anton Shunin ...

- This is the decision of the coaching staff. Specialists know best what it is based on. Perhaps the young goalkeepers have not yet proved that they are worthy to play at such a level, or Cherchesov really believes that they can be of great benefit to the youth team. I believe that the team should have continuity and a change of generations.

- Alexander Maksimenko and Matvey Safonov alternately defend the colors of the youth. Agree with the strategy of Mikhail Galaktionov?

- In most cases, this practice has a negative result, but there are exceptions. A similar situation was in the “Zenith”, when I played in the national championship, and Camil Chontofalski - in European competition. Thus, both gained practice and in the end the strongest was determined. Subsequently, I took a place in the “frame” at the decisive stages of the UEFA Cup.

- But is such a practice acceptable in a national team?

- It is probably not quite right to alternate goalkeepers in the national team. But there is a reasonable explanation for Galaktionov’s decision. Apparently, he considers Safonov and Maksimenko equal in level, as a result of which he does not want to put one of them on the bench without explanation.

- Is there any chance that this is Cherchesov’s idea?

- Everything is possible.

- At the moment, is Guillerme the best goalkeeper in Russia?

- Taking into account the latest meetings? (Laughs)

- Generally.

- I think yes. A high level of the training process, regular appearance on the field in European competition - all this speaks in favor of Guillerme.

- At the same time, the experience of playing in the Champions League is not always positive ...

- Never mind. Better he miss it there than as part of the Russian team. There are no goalkeepers who make no mistakes. The question of frequency.

- In your opinion, how often can a cool goalkeeper afford such blunders?

- I think one goal error in 15 matches is permissible. It is advisable that it does not affect the outcome of the meeting. It is worth recalling that Akinfeev also had similar shortcomings, but due to luck they did not always cost his team points.

- But what about the meeting with South Korea at the 2014 World Cup?

- Perhaps this episode covered all those moments when he was lucky. Although luck smiled on Akinfeev also in 2004.

- What do you have in mind?

- Akinfeev could play instead of me in that memorable match with Portugal, which ended with the score 1: 7. I got sick, but did not tell anyone about it and ended up at the gate. It is noteworthy that after returning to the club at that time, Zenit head coach Vlastimil Petrzhela called me into his office and said that I would stay in reserve for the next meeting.

- Why?

- I asked him the same thing. He said the matter is seven goals conceded. And this despite the fact that he did not even watch the match.

- What did you answer?

- He invited him to see the record, but he insisted on his opinion. He advised on psychological problems. Perhaps it would be easier for someone to relax and then return to the composition, but it only got harder for me. After all, I had to regain a place at the start.

- Were there any other similar stories?

- For example, in a game with Macedonia, Vladimir Gabulov received a red card. I went out instead and took a penalty. And already in the next meeting, we gave way to England. Here he saved, and there he got a three-ruble note.

- How much does success in the club affect the mood in anticipation of a meeting for the national team?

- This allows you not to cheat yourself once again. If you win, then come on the positive. For the goalkeeper, the most important thing is calmness, the absence of noise, discussions. We are more in ourselves. When all eyes are focused on you, as in the case of Guillerme, you need to turn on a handsome man: smile, show with all appearance that nothing happened.

- Even if psychologically very difficult?

- The goalkeeper should radiate confidence on the camera and during communication within the team. I was once told that the goalkeeper should not hide his eyes before entering the field. Partners must see them, because they are also worried. Thanks to this, they understand that the goalkeeper is calm. Like, in case of an error, he will save me.

- How do you feel about the rumors that Akinfeev could return and take part in Euro 2020?

- I think this is possible in two cases. Firstly, if all goalkeepers of a high level are injured. Secondly, if they will be extremely unsuccessful in the national championship. Given this, Igor’s return to the national team is almost impossible.

- When you finished speaking in the national team, what did Fabio Capello say?

“That I am always ready to return if I need to.” In my opinion, then I won the competition, but the choice was not made in my favor. Therefore, he noted that he was not ready to stay in this position, because I did not have the time to get the upper hand in the dispute for the title of the first issue. I was already 35 years old. It's hard to fight at this age.

- In your opinion, which of the goalkeepers should make up the Guillerme company in the application of the Russian team for the European Championship?

- I would not like to name specific names. Moreover, we have already listed all the candidates. In total, about six people will apply for three places.

- Recently, there are fewer and fewer players devoted to one team. Why did you spend your whole career at Zenit?

- For me to go to any other Russian club was unreasonable from a football point of view. Especially after the “Zenith” began to achieve serious success.

- A transfer to a foreign club?

- Many teams prefer the goalkeeper to be their own. He spoke his native language. In addition, there are factors such as the limit on foreign players, salary. Of course, I had it not the highest, but more than in the clubs where I could play. In addition, there were other reasons not to leave Russia: family, friends, business. I feel myself an integral part of St. Petersburg and always gladly return here.