“I don’t think Poland is a good lot”: Karpin on Lewandowski, training camp before the seams, motivation and communication with Cherchesov

Immediately after the draw for the 2022 World Cup play-offs, an online press conference with journalists was held by the head coach of the Russian national football team Valery Karpin.

The specialist began the conversation by noting the high level of Poland, with which his team played in the first meeting.

“Our future confrontation should not be perceived as revenge for the defeat from Croatia.

This is a chance to get to the World Cup in Qatar.

The rival is, indeed, very similar to Zlatko Dalic's team in terms of the level of players and play.

But let's first see where we are in March.

Poland is also likely to undergo changes.

We will calmly prepare and wait for information about the opponent, ”the mentor said.

According to Karpin, the opponent has a good composition and will have to fight on the field not only against the team leader Robert Lewandowski, but also other players.

“We need to restrain not one player, but the entire Polish team.

They have quite a few high-level athletes who can get us in trouble, besides the Bayern striker.

Yes, Portugal and Italy look stronger on paper.

But I don't think Poland is a great lot.

Not the worst, but not the best either, ”added the specialist.

As the coach noted, it is also important to immediately study the possible rivals in the second play-off match: the Czech Republic and Sweden, because the Russian national team will have little time to prepare.

“Between the meetings there are only a couple of days for rest and recovery, there is no time to study the teams, so we will prepare all the information for the players before the training camp - both about the Swedes and the Czechs.

We will not think about them in advance.

But our analysts will do a thorough job.

I do not consider us a favorite in any of the matches.

However, in the games with Slovenia and Slovakia, I also did not think that Russia is stronger than the opponent, "Karpin said.

The coach also said that his players will come to the team's location immediately after the 21st round of the Russian Championship, no one will have additional rest.

According to Karpin, no one should be tired in two rounds after the winter break.

The national team will go to the training camp, the venue of which has not yet been determined. 

“It all depends on the conditions.

It is clear that the weather in Turkey in March will be good, the fields by this time are also of high quality, the infrastructure is ready.

In the near future, the head of our team will fly out to view possible bases and study the proposed conditions.

Among the options are the southern cities of Russia, ”said the mentor.

At the same time, the specialist noted that there is not much time to work with the team, so it would be great to hold another training camp at the beginning of the year in order to start working out the tactical aspects of the game with Poland.

“Every day on the phone with the RFU General Secretary Alexander Alaev.

We have already talked about preparing for the joints with him.

If we manage to hold the second camp at the beginning of the year, it will be great.

In January-February, it would be possible to work on the tactics, which then bring to mind and implement in March.

I would like to thank RPL for postponing the tour.

There are no guarantees to qualify for the World Cup, but the chances to prepare better have definitely appeared.

Time is short, but sometimes even three months is not enough, ”the specialist admitted.

As for the location of the play-off match, according to Karpin, several options are being considered.

The final decision will be made by December 9th.

“It could be St. Petersburg, and Luzhniki, or southern cities - Krasnodar, Rostov.

We need to discuss everything.

Time, thank God, is.

The choice will depend not on my desire, but on the conditions of the meeting in March: the weather in the city, the state of the field, logistics and much more.

In St. Petersburg, a lawn has now been killed, but it can be restored in four months.

And I don’t know what field is in Luzhniki today, ”admitted Karpin.

According to the mentor, in any case, it is good that the Russian national team plays play-offs at home.

There will be no additional pressure on the players, and full stands, if you do not have to limit attendance due to the coronavirus, will only spur the domestic team to move forward more actively.

The head coach does not think about the composition of the team yet, as there is too much time ahead.

“I think I will call no more than 27 players.

But it is too early to think who can replace the disqualified Fedor Smolov and Alexander Golovin.

It all depends on the shape of the players.

I invite those with whom, in my opinion, you can solve the problem.

We'll see whether they are the strongest or not.

There won't be many matches before the seams, just a couple of rounds.

Therefore, we also plan to attend training camps in clubs in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Spain, ”the coach said.

The main problem that Karpin will have to fight in the near future is psychology.

According to the specialist, the bad experience of the game with Croatia should help to draw the right conclusions and start moving on.

“I talked to some of the players after the match.

Not all, but many.

They perceived defeat differently.

Satisfied, of course, no.

At the moment they come to their senses.

I understand their condition, it was the same with me after Ukraine, I didn't want to play at all.

But then you communicate with your partners, start training and gradually withdraw, ”the mentor admitted.

Karpin is confident that Russian footballers can play daring football against Poland, Croatia and other rivals, but his opinion alone is not enough.

It is necessary that the athletes themselves be convinced of this.

The specialist figured out how to convey this idea to them.

Whether everything works or not, the fans will see after the meeting with Poland.

In the meantime, Karpin prefers not to show his cards, noting only that he wants to see 11 leaders on the field.

At the same time, additional monetary incentives, according to the coach, will not help the Russian national team, although he does not mind if a philanthropist suddenly appears.

“Regarding the bonuses from the RFU, everything has been discussed.

But money is not motivation in this matter.

You and I personally now, even for a billion, no matter how we want, we will not be able to beat Poland.

Football is a sport.

And here nothing depends on money, "said Karpin.

Also, the specialist did not rule out communication with the former head coach of the national team Stanislav Cherchesov, who knows the opponent very well.

Together with Legia, he became the champion of Poland in 2016, and now his name is being named among the candidates for the position of the coach of the national team.

“This option is possible.

Let's say we'll meet him at the stadium and make an appointment, ”Karpin suggested.