Foot / Euro-Espoirs: Danil Krougovoï, young Russian talent who will challenge France
Danil Krugovoy with the jersey of the Russian national team.
© Russian Football Union
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
5 mins
Cut into two pieces, the 2021 Euro-Espoirs football starts this Wednesday, March 24 in Hungary and Slovenia with the group stage.
On Sunday, Russia will face France in Szombathely in Hungary.
Danil Krougovoï, defender of Zenith Saint Petersburg, answered RFI's questions.
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Danil Krugovoy is a boy who has been advancing step by step in the Russian team for the under-17s.
At the time, in 2015, he participated in the U17 European Championship in Bulgaria.
Then, he took part a few months more in the World Under-17 in Chile with the victory of Nigeria against Mali.
Russia lost in the round of 16 against Ecuador.
In March 2019, Danil Krougovoï played his first match with the hopes, in a friendly against Sweden (2-0 victory).
He tasted the Champions League
At 22, Danil Krougovoï is the only Zenith Saint Petersburg player to be in the Molodiojnaïa sbornaïa squad.
“A
lot of players are called up for selection A. In addition, young people do not play the main roles in the Zenith game.
I think that's why there aren't many in the
U21
team
, ”explains Danil Krougovoï.
For example, among the French, coach Sylvain Ripoll summoned defender Colin Dagba, the only Paris Saint-Germain player in the Bleuets squad.
For the first time in 8 years, Russia has qualified for Euro-Espoirs.
“
We can count on players who are used to playing together from the junior team.
We also managed the qualifying matches together.
Currently, Russian clubs have more confidence in young people and they have more playing time. I think these factors ensure the progress of young players in my country,
”says the defender, born in Gatchina, near Saint- Petersburg, a city famous for its palace which was one of the residences of the tsars.
Danil Krougovoy, who has played four Champions League matches with the Zenith this season, is interested in French football.
The left-back knows his future opponents like defensive midfielder Guendouzi, player of Arsenal, Camavinga who plays at Stade Rennes or Houssem Aouar of Olympique Lyonnais.
“
I thought about performance and the short term, so I am focused on the first phase.
The challenge is to qualify,
”summed up Sylvain Ripoll, coach of the France team, whose potential is impressive.
Danil Krougovoy with the Zenith Saint-Petersburg jersey.
© Zenith FC
Qatar in the crosshairs
In 2019, the Russian sports press mentioned a possible transfer of Danil Krougovoï to the Hexagon.
“
I am interested in the matches of AS Monaco where my compatriot Alexander Golovin plays.
If I have time, I watch Ligue 1 matches. In the French championship, the players fight for every free space
, ”says Danil Krougovoï.
“
This European Under-21 Championship is a good opportunity to express oneself at European level.
But I think first of all I have to show my best qualities in Russia.
Last year I was back at the Zenith to win trophies and play the Champions League.
We are progressing step by step.
And it is by working a lot that we obtain good results
”, summarizes Danil Krougovoï.
After the Euro-Espoirs, does Danil Krougovoï dream of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
“
This is my goal,” he
says.
But first of all you have to be effective in the Russian championship to deserve to be called up for the national team.
"
The 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will have a unique format and schedule: the group stage (behind closed doors) and the knockout stage will be held separately. The group stage will take place from March 24 to 31, 2021. The top two in each group will qualify for the final stage scheduled from May 31 to June 6, 2021.
The groups :
Group A: Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Hungary
Group B: Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovenia
Group C: France, Denmark, Russia, Iceland
Group D: England, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland
Recent achievements:
2019: Spain
2017: Germany
2015: Sweden
2013: Spain
2011: Spain
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