"We felt that millions were looking at us": footballers and the coach of the Russian national team about empty stands and victory over Serbia

The Russian national team prevailed over Serbia in the first match of the League of Nations.

The meeting, which took place at the Moscow VTB Arena, ended with a score of 3: 1.

Despite the fact that the winners looked more convincing on the pitch than their rivals, Stanislav Cherchesov emphasized that the coaching staff was not quite satisfied with the players.

In his opinion, sometimes they allowed themselves to lose the ball in simple situations.

“But since we haven't played for a long time, it was wrong to demand synchronization in actions.

There are moments in which we need to add.

Football is a sport in which you have to move in order to have an advantage.

We were not preparing to play against three central defenders, so the first half was not good enough for us.

We were rebuilding during the match.

But both Yuri Zhirkov and Alexey Ionov quickly grasped their tasks, which we corrected during the break.

Therefore, we spent the second half better, ”said Cherchesov.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the match was held in front of empty stands.

The specialist admitted that at first he was uncomfortable with the silence reigning at the stadium, although everyone understood that many fans supported the national team at the TV screens.

“There were no spectators, but we felt that millions were watching.

A difficult but deserved victory.

When we play at home, the stadium is full and the fan chases the team.

When they are not there, we tell the players to be more collected.

But the main thing is that we won, and now we are going to the Hungarians, who, by the way, also won, ”Cherchesov is quoted as saying by“ Championship ”.

The first meeting within the League of Nations was not without damage.

First, Zelimkhan Bakaev left the field, earning a penalty, then the coaching staff replaced Andrei Semyonov.

According to the mentor, their status will be clarified in the near future, although at the moment the team is counting on both players in the upcoming match with Hungary.

The second match of the League of Nations will take place on September 6 in Budapest.

“We know enough the opponent, but their today's match with Turkey will give more information.

Since we played with them before the Confederations Cup, they have had a lot of changes and there are interesting young people who perform well on the field, ”Cherchesov added.

Victory changing room 🔥✌️💪👍 pic.twitter.com/N3mulF30km

- Russian national team (@TeamRussia) September 3, 2020

Striker Artem Dziuba scored the double against the Serbs.

According to him, the Russians played on defense, although they confidently controlled the ball.

He also noted the importance of a successful start in the tournament.

“Serbia is a very good team with renowned footballers.

We want to win in our group, this is not some kind of bragging, there is no other point in playing.

There are many reasons to beat teams that are higher in the rankings.

In the future, it will be very important for the draw for the World Championship, ”Dziuba explained on the air of Match Premier.

As for his own contribution to success, he compared the second goal scored at the end of the meeting with the style of two other eminent players.

“A backhand, like Rivaldo's, like Oleg Veretennikov's.

I replied to all the haters who say that I am "not the one", that my left is not working, that age.

Every day we prove our strength on the field, not in words, ”the striker emphasized.

Like the head coach, he drew attention to the unusual environment in the empty stadium.

At the same time, according to him, the players were motivated by the fact that this was their first match in a long time.

“Today was a very difficult match with an unusual atmosphere.

Of course, there is not enough fans and their emotions.

But what saved us was that we had not gathered for nine months, so the anthem of our country still excites, ”concluded Dziuba.

In addition to the captain, defender Vyacheslav Karavaev scored a goal, for whom this goal was the first for the national team.

Commenting on the result, he also paid tribute to the opponent and noted that the most important result was three points scored.

“We need to move on, win and take the highest place possible.

My left leg is not as strong as my right one, but today I came out on the left and there were no problems.

I was close to the goal, tried to take over the game: shot and scored.

The first goal for the national team is always a special emotion.

At the end of the match, it was clearly seen that the opponent was hooked.

I believe that we have followed the coach's instructions, "summed up Karavaev.

The gates of the Russian national team were defended by Anton Shunin, who last entered the field in the starting lineup of the national team in November last year.

That is why many were surprised by his appearance in the application.

According to the goalkeeper, he himself found out about his inclusion on the day of the match.

“After training, Gintaras Stauche approached me.

He told me to get ready.

There was excitement, but that's okay.

I wanted to show a good game.

I tried to prompt the defenders.

I felt comfortable, "Shunin admitted.

He also noted that due to the pause, the victory was not easy for the team, so it took the players time to play.

“There were literally only a few days to recover from the matches of the Russian championship and prepare for a good, serious opponent.

In principle, we sorted everything out, understood how to play.

In the first half, it took time to play.

And after the break, we did a lot.

What was conceived - that we have embodied ”, - concluded Shunin.