On November 18, the Russian national team in the final match of the group stage of the League of Nations will meet with Serbia.
Head coach Stanislav Cherchesov shared the details of the preparation of the national team for the meeting.
According to him, after the game with Turkey, one part of the footballers held a recovery training, the other more intense.
In a theoretical lesson, they sorted out previous mistakes.
He stressed that his wards are no stranger to such a rhythm, since the October training camp took place according to a similar scenario.
Due to the bust of yellow cards, defender Fedor Kudryashov and midfielder Roman Zobnin will not take part in the match with Serbia.
In addition, in the previous meeting, Andrei Semyonov was removed from the field.
Cherchesov assured that this will not affect the team in any way, since there are players in the reserve who are ready to replace them.
“There is still time to figure out who will play and which scheme to choose.
We are calm about this.
The situation is as it is.
Someone has disqualification, someone has injuries, someone has a coronavirus.
We live in such a time.
This must be taken in a business-like manner and in every game we must find an opportunity to release a team that can become a single whole and achieve the desired result, ”the coach said.
Cherchesov especially noted the work of the debutants of the national team.
According to him, the coaching staff initially planned to call several new players, while others joined due to losses in the lineup.
Nevertheless, they all demonstrated hard work and a desire to continue to master the national team.
“All newcomers are gradually settling in.
Someone has already entered the field, someone is just ahead.
But with each theoretical lesson, with each training session, they better understand our requirements and principles.
This is the very case when the players need to be given time, and we need to be patient and build each of them into the roster step by step, ”the mentor explained.
The captain of the Russian national team Georgy Dzhikia spoke about how the newcomers joined the team.
According to him, many of them already have experience of performing in the international arena, therefore, from the point of view of adaptation, no one had any problems.
“Looking at them, I remember myself and my first call to the national team.
I didn't play for a long time then.
But gradually I adapted, and the coaches began to trust me.
I think it's the same with them.
The main thing is that there are no offenses in the team, everyone trains and gives all the best.
It is a matter of time before each of them will have a chance to enter the field and show what they are capable of, ”Jikia is sure.
The most experienced footballer among the Russians is Yuri Zhirkov.
He will play his 100th international match on Wednesday.
“This is not the limit.
I hope he will continue to be called and show his cool game.
And tomorrow we will congratulate him from the bottom of our hearts, ”Jikia said.
After five rounds, the Serbia national team is in last place in the third group of League B, having not won a single victory.
However, the Russians, according to Cherchesov, should not relax and hope that the opponent will not be sufficiently motivated.
“The tournament struggle continues, which, among other things, will give the Serbs a chance to be higher in the table.
Our task is to take first place.
Losses for one reason or another occur for all teams, and we are no exception.
Therefore, anything can happen.
We will carry out the theory, analyze the previous matches, the medical headquarters will provide their information about the condition of our players.
We will prepare for a specific opponent, ”said Cherchesov.
Ahead of the match, it became known that Ajax midfielder Dusan Tadic would not be able to help Serbia.
The coach expressed confidence that his counterpart Lyubisha Tumbakovich will be able to find a replacement for the retired player.
“Many will not play with us either, so we are on an equal footing.
Yes, Tadic is a good solid footballer.
Perhaps he doesn't know himself, but when I worked at Dynamo, I wanted to buy it.
Perhaps my colleague is also sorry that he will not be there.
But Serbia definitely has players who can replace him, ”the specialist noted.
He also paid tribute to his opponent and expressed surprise that the Serbs have not made their way to the European Championship since 2000.
In turn, Jikia assured that the Russians do not fear an opponent, which has such star players as strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Luka Jovic.
“Both Mitrovic and Jovic are good footballers playing in strong clubs.
But tomorrow we will not play one on one, not Jikia against Mitrovic, but the Russian team against the Serbia national team.
Therefore, we are not afraid of anyone, ”said the defender.
On November 16 it became known that the Serbia - Russia match will be judged by the English, and not the Polish, referee team, as previously announced.
According to sources, this is due to a number of controversial episodes that occurred in the previous match of the Russians, which was also served by referees from Poland.
However, Cherchesov admitted that he did not know the reasons for this decision.
“It's hard for me to say why they were replaced.
I worked in Poland, I know all the judges, and I have never had any problems with them, ”the expert concluded.