Karpin's discontent, Golovin's bandage and Jikia's uniform: what was discussed after Russia's victory over Cyprus in the selection for the 2022 World Cup

"During the break, Valery Georgievich pushed us a little"

The Russian national team defeated the national team of Cyprus with a score of 6: 0 in the qualifying stage of the 2022 World Cup.

Danil Glebov, midfielder of Rostov made his debut in the national team.

The 22-year-old football player replaced Daniil Fomin in the 67th minute.

After the final whistle, the midfielder admitted that he felt anxiety when he took to the field in St. Petersburg.

“Not that I was shaking, I rather felt insecure.

But then I made two passes, got into the game, and everything was great.

Emotions are the top, ”Glebov admitted at a press conference.

Discussing why the confrontation with Cyprus turned out to be so different halves, the midfielder noted the role of head coach Valery Karpin's words in the locker room.

“After we scored the first goal, we relaxed and began to act imposingly, incorrectly.

During the break, Valery Georgievich gave us a little stuff.

In the second half, there were goals, and then they did not slow down.

They did not sit strongly in defense, they only went forward.

They acted with the ball.

What did the coach say?

I don’t know, I wasn’t there, ”added Glebov.

One of the heroes of the meeting was Alexander Erokhin.

Zenit midfielder scored a double.

At the same time, he did without a yellow card and avoided disqualification on the eve of the last round.

According to the midfielder, the coaching staff did not receive any specific instructions to act carefully.

“It's hard to say why I have so many one-touch goals.

It's good that it turns out to score and help the team.

Glad to three points before the meeting with Croatia.

The most important thing is victory.

The footballers knew who was on the yellow cards.

But specific instructions to play more accurately were not voiced.

A couple of times we were close to getting an extra mustard plaster.

But nothing happened, ”explained Erokhin. 

He also told how he got the captain's armband after Alexander Golovin left the field.

According to the midfielder, wearing it is a great honor for everyone.

“We agreed with the guys that this is our common task.

We are all leaders, everyone at some point takes responsibility, ”added Erokhin.

"I wanted to release Sergeev, but six substitutions cannot be made"

Karpin himself was in a good mood at the post-match press conference and answered journalists' questions in sufficient detail.

For example, the head coach explained the absence of Spartak defender Georgy Dzhikia with the results of tests, which showed that the athlete is tired.

“The decision was influenced by a small injury received the day before, as well as the fact that Jikia among all the players of the national team played the most minutes in the last months: 18 or 19 matches.

The accumulated fatigue makes itself felt.

Thinking about a meeting with Croatia, we decided not to risk it today.

Thank God, there were no injuries, ”said the specialist.

Now the defender is preparing for the decisive match, which will take place on November 14 in Split.

In this meeting, according to Karpin, he will definitely enter the field.

For the same reason - a large number of matches played and the risk of disqualification - Dmitry Barinov remained in reserve.

As the specialist explained, in the position of the holding midfielder, a warning can be received out of the blue. 

“Remember the match with Spartak in the RPL, where Barinov was shown a card for making a tackle under him.

This is the position: the ball can hit anywhere.

The referee will show yellow and he will miss the match with Croatia, ”the mentor said. 

With an eye on the next game, Golovin was also replaced.

According to Karpin, the coaching staff originally planned that he would spend 60 minutes on the field.

Assessing the game of another legionnaire, Atalanta midfielder Alexei Miranchuk, the specialist admitted that his actions are influenced by the lack of playing practice and tone. 

“Because of this, there were many unjustified losses.

And in the second half a completely different Miranchuk came out.

Everything began to work out.

When Lyosha is in good shape, he can act in many positions.

Whatever the level of skill, good physical shape is required, ”the coach said. 

Karpin appreciated the actions of Andrei Mostovoy.

Zenit midfielder scored the third goal into the visitors' goal in the 56th minute. 

“You pay attention to the goals, and my job is to watch the game.

I am pleased with Mostovoy's actions.

And even if he had not scored, my opinion would not have changed, ”the coach said. 

Two more players who could have made their debut for the national team did not enter the field: forward of Krylia Sovetov Ivan Sergeev and defender of Zenit Danil Krugovoy.

According to Karpin, he gladly gave Sergeev a chance in the second half, and instead of Krugovoy he added Vyacheslav Karavaev to the application because of his versatility. 

“I wanted to release Ivan, but six substitutions cannot be made.

I told him: "Sorry, but so far."

First of all, those who had yellow cards were replaced.

Then Igor Diveev.

Mostovoy also grabbed the calf muscle.

So he hasn’t come out yet, but I hope he will have time, ”the specialist promised. 

"The main thing is that overmotivation does not interfere on Sunday"

Talking about the team's actions in the match with Cyprus, Karpin stressed that the game was divided into segments.

“There was good pressure, and then there were wrong rebuildings and misunderstandings on the field.

I think it has more to do with psychology.

There was either relaxation or stiffness, ”the coach emphasized.

At the same time, the specialist noted that he did not say anything unusual to the players in the locker room during the break.

“We have corrected the attacking positions of some of the players.

But it was not this that influenced, but the second goal.

Before the match, they talked about underestimating the opponent.

Perhaps the quick ball played a cruel joke, there was laxity, two or three unreasonable losses led to tension at our goal.

To stress, but not to dangerous moments.

There was stiffness, fear for the result.

If we had scored the second right away, I think the halves would have been similar.

The Cypriots cannot be disregarded either, they fell apart after a goal by Fedor Smolov, ”Karpin said.

According to the expert, a large score in this case will not negatively affect the team, since Croatia is a completely different rival.

“With Malta it could be harmful, relaxed.

But there is no need to set anyone up for Croatia.

This is a separate topic.

Such an account only adds emotion.

The main thing is that overmotivation does not interfere on Sunday.

At stake is access to the World Championship, ”Karpin believes. 

However, the specialist did not call the upcoming meeting the most important in his life, since their value may change at different stages. 

“In 2018 we played the Rostov - Ural match.

Then we fought for the joints.

It was much more tense than today's meeting, ”the coach admitted. 

Karpin does not see any problems in the fact that the Russians in the match with the current vice-champions of the planet are satisfied with a draw.

“A month ago, we all dreamed of such a situation.

We have more points now.

What's the problem with that?

I do not understand.

Previously, anyone would have given money to be in this position, ”said the coach.