“Able to gain a foothold in Europe”: Galaktionov about the U21 national team players, star disease and the decrease in wages in the RPL

- The postponement and cancellation of the competition due to the coronavirus will affect the timing of the Euro-2021 youth qualifying tournament and, possibly, its final stage. What excites you most in this regard?

- The COVID-19 pandemic has stopped sport worldwide. Of course, this is very serious, so it’s difficult to predict anything here. We now communicate with the players individually - me or my coaching staff assistants. As for training, the players receive a training program at the club.

- Aren't you afraid, on the eve of the adult Euro, which was postponed to 2021, to lose, for example, Matvey Safonov and Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov, who can strengthen the main team?

- The goal of the youth national team of Russia, in addition to achieving results, is precisely to train personnel for the main national team. We want our guys to be in demand there. Stanislav Cherchesov is regularly interested in the affairs of youth soccer players, so we have contact with him and he has all the necessary information.

- You said that you communicate with the players. Do you give them any recommendations?

- If there is a need for this, I express my opinion on issues that interest our guys, not only on the football topic, but also on some life situations.

- Will the quarantine affect the young players less than the age?

- For all athletes, quarantine is a loss of fitness. To return the optimal condition, it will take some time.

- In addition to the football moments themselves, a pandemic can provoke a financial crisis that will affect the clubs and salaries of players.

- Here we need to talk not only about football, but in general about all spheres of life in Russia. I think the leaders will have to shrink financially, but young players may have even more chances to prove themselves.

- Can lower salaries and increased competition push young people to leave for Europe? 

- Today's generation of players, I am sure, sets a goal to leave for the European championships. Now, the counter-question always arises: will there be enough of their level so that they will pay attention to the guys and will they be able to show themselves there? I believe in children and that they are able to gain a foothold in Europe.

- How often do football players consult with you about their future, for example, about moving to another club or about leaving for Europe?

- If a player needs my opinion directly about moving to a particular team, about its playing style and other nuances, naturally, I express it.

- If we are talking about playing for the club of the second eight RPLs or playing in a strong team of the middle European championship, what would you advise?

- It all depends on the club itself, the level of the championship, the team, the one who works with it. There are a lot of nuances in this situation. 

- You say that today young players are eager to leave for Europe. How is today's youth football mentally different from what it was, for example, ten years ago?

- Each generation has its own story, its own heroes. To prove that they are better, those players who have come now, first and foremost need titles and victories.

- What is the secret to the success of the current youth team? Why did so many guys play in the RPL, and in the top clubs?

“Many factors have come together here.” Of course, this is the merit of those trainers who worked with them at different stages of preparation.

A big plus is that the last generation of youth players passed the youth championships of Europe and the world. They have gained invaluable experience in participating in serious international matches. And of course, the talent, hard work of the guys, the trust of club coaches affected. And, I’m sure, the mentality of the young players themselves has changed. They really became more professional in their work.

- What is the main evil for young Russian players?

- Complacency and reduced self-demands. Moreover, this applies not only to young players, but to most football players in Russia in general.

- How do you help young football players to avoid complacency when they receive the first serious contract?

- I am convinced that now it’s practically not happening that the young player is immediately offered a millionth contract. They go towards this gradually and subsequently are ready for everything.

- Matvey Safonov and Alexander Maksimenko are fighting for the goalkeeper’s place in the youth team. Is it possible to say that they are in no way inferior to Igor Akinfeev, the long-standing first number of the national team?

- Both of our goalkeepers are very talented, with excellent data. Already now we can talk about them as a promising future team. But before comparing them with Akinfeev, the guys must gain stability, gain experience, fill up cones, go through fire and copper pipes. They must consistently play for their teams not only in the championship of Russia, but also in European competitions. And also hold high-quality matches as part of the youth team and achieve a positive result with it.

- A large group of players of your team plays in CSKA. But do not you think that with so many young people it’s unrealistic to fight for the championship?

- I am absolutely convinced that over time they will gain experience and the army will fight for the highest places.

- From the side, CSKA defender Igor Diveev seems to be a real youth leader who is right about football, finances and life. There is no feeling that he is capable of becoming the captain of the main team in the future?

- We know the characters and qualities of all our players and see them at training camps daily. As for Diveyev, he is gradually moving forward, adding and entering into the cage of players on whom both the team and the coaching staff are counting.

- Is there a feeling that Fyodor Chalov never came to his senses after the failed transition to Crystal Palace?

- I do not have. When Fedor is at the disposal of our team, no questions arise for him. Of course, there are game moments that need to be improved, to which we pay attention. This is a normal workflow. However, Fedor’s game must be considered on a wider scale, and not limited to scored or unkempt goals.

- 19-year-old Nail Umyarov quickly broke into the base of Spartak. There is no fear that the second season syndrome will overtake him?

- Everything is possible, and there were many such examples. It is very important who will be near at this moment and what adjustments will be made if such a period in his career comes.

- And how do you deal with star sickness in your young wards?

- If a player has hints of this syndrome, the team and team leaders can themselves explain that this player is wrong, and send him in the right direction. Naturally, if the intervention of the coaching staff is required, then some work happens.