The Russian national football team held a final training session at the base in Novogorsk before flying to Chisinau, where a control match with Moldova will take place on November 12.
All the players played in the general group, with the exception of Sochi striker Anton Zabolotny, Zenit midfielder Alexander Erokhin and Dynamo midfielder Daniil Lesovoy.
A UEFA laboratory that tested for coronavirus revealed a dubious result in them, which required additional tests.
Previous analyzes have not shown any of the players to have the disease.
Despite this, both the midfielder and the forward did not take part in the team lesson.
"At present, the medical headquarters of the Russian national team is consulting with the relevant UEFA divisions on this issue, since there is a high probability of a false positive result," the press service said.
In the near future, the question of the participation of Zabolotny, Erokhin and Lesovoy in the upcoming matches will be decided.
In connection with the incident, the coaching staff decided to call CSKA forward Fyodor Chalov, who was not on the reserve list.
Prior to that, he attended training camps with the youth team and even the day before was appointed its captain.
"Better to play than train"
On the eve of the training session, Atalanta midfielder Alexei Miranchuk, who was last called a year ago, shared his impressions of his return to the national team.
In addition, in Novogorsk, he was reunited with his brother Anton, who remained in Lokomotiv.
“It's nice to finally be back, I missed everyone very much.
The only thing I didn't miss was the weather.
It's cold, you have to adjust.
We are constantly in touch with my brother, but when I felt that he was near, it became calmer and easier, ”Miranchuk said.
He noted the changes that have taken place in the national team over the year.
According to him, the plus is the challenge of a large number of young players, who will give the whole squad new strength.
Miranchuk also spoke about the adaptation in Atalanta.
He admitted that this process is at the final stage, and two goals scored in the Champions League match and Serie A helped to feel more confident in the new conditions.
“I feel good and comfortable.
It seems that the adaptation is coming to an end.
Because I communicate well with all the guys, I begin to understand the coach's requirements.
Everything is good.
Bergamo is a small city, nothing distracts, therefore, he focuses only on work, ”the footballer emphasized.
Of course, the change of the country and the championship could not pass without surprises.
From a sports point of view, Miranchuk was surprised by the higher training intensity than in Russia.
And with everyday life - the character and characteristics of local residents.
“I saw how hard it was for some guys to find apartments.
But I was lucky.
We arrived and immediately found a good option.
Literally two or three times they gave me a lift to the base by car, and then I memorized the route myself.
The only hard thing is the Italians' habit of not rushing anywhere.
It's different in Moscow: everything is fast here, everyone is running somewhere.
And there people are older, apparently, everything has already been done.
Sometimes you boil from this, you have to be patient.
Sometimes you stand at a traffic light, wait for someone to turn, ”he shared.
In addition, Miranchuk noted that he was impressed by the support that the fans gave him.
“Just now I found out how many people are worried and support me.
I could not even imagine that there are so many of them.
Of course, there were different comments, but overall I saw a good reaction.
I realized for myself that I have to work hard to justify such an attitude, ”the midfielder concluded.
The press service of the Russian national team dedicated a funny video to the reunion of the Miranchuk brothers, in which they decide which of them will return to Atalanta.
The lot fell on Anton.
“You will take the kippah in the room,” Alexei joked.
In turn, Zenit defender Vyacheslav Karavaev spoke about the atmosphere in the team.
According to him, all the players are in good shape, and the preparation is going according to plan.
The player emphasized that everyone in the team knows each other well, so it doesn't matter which club representatives are present at the training camp.
“Everything is calm with us.
Getting ready for the game, paying no attention to anything.
Everyone is careful about the situation with the coronavirus so as not to let partners down.
After all, no one is immune from this.
I myself gradually joined the team, it helped.
Then there was one Karavaev, now - a little different, "- said the defender.
He added that he does not consider himself an experienced player in the national team, although he made his debut in it more than a year ago.
“Do the youth speak to me?
I don't see any point in that.
They play in Europe at the age of 17-18.
22 years old is no longer a young footballer, ”he explained.
The footballer also noted that, despite the control status of the match with Moldova, the opponent must be taken seriously.
“We were shown their games yesterday. Today we'll see. There is some understanding. Good team, we will try to win. As for the tight schedule, there were no changes in preparation. In the club in two days on the third we play. There are no problems in terms of the functional state. You have to get used to it. It's better to play than to train, ”added Karavaev.