“Show that we are alive”: Karpin about the Russia-Kyrgyzstan match, the absence of veterans and the extension of the contract with the national team

Until recently, it was not clear what the Russian team would do at the end of September.

Due to the suspension from international tournaments, Valery Karpin's wards lost the opportunity to play in the League of Nations, and the organization of friendly matches was also not easy.

For obvious reasons, it was almost impossible to agree on a sparring with a European team, and holding a meeting with a representative of another confederation was inevitably accompanied by a number of problems, including logistical ones.

In this regard, at some point, it could well be the question of the advisability of calling the players from the clubs, but the opponent was still found.

According to the press service of the RFU, on September 24, the Russian team will take to the field in Bishkek, where for the first time in its history it will play with Kyrgyzstan, and in November it may still face off against Iran.

True, in the latter case, the parties will have to decide on the date.

On the 18th, it is planned to hold meetings of the group stage of the Russian Cup, in which many representatives of the national team will be involved, and three days later, the three-time winners of the Asian Cup will fight England at the World Cup in Qatar.

But it is already known that 35 players will arrive in Novogorsk at once to prepare for the confrontation with Kyrgyzstan, many of whom were called up to the national team for the first time.

Among them are Krylia Sovetov goalkeeper Ivan Lomaev, Sochi defender Artyom Makarchuk, Lokomotiv midfielder Artyom Karpukas and Krasnodar midfielder Nikita Krivtsov.

At the same time, none of the domestic legionnaires, including Monaco midfielder Alexander Golovin, was expected to be on the expanded list.

And as Karpin said at a specially organized press conference, under the circumstances it was logical to refuse his services.

"An opportunity to meet new players"

- What is the reason for the absence of Russians playing abroad in the list?

- Logistics now does not allow you to quickly get there.

We talked to Sasha Golovin.

He has more than enough practice at the club - championship, European cups.

Yes, and a flight to Bishkek, return back.

Spend two or three days on such trips.

In addition, we already know our legionnaires.

In their case, everything depends on their state at a particular moment.

Lyosha Miranchuk is still injured.

By and large, only Golovin could help us.

- There are a lot of newcomers in the roster, but there are practically no veterans.

What is it connected with?

- So far, no one knows when we will be allowed to participate in international tournaments again.

Therefore, there is an opportunity to meet new players.

Right now we don't have a single player over 30 years old... There would be more people on the expanded list, but some were injured.

The same Alexander Chernikov, Ruslan Litvinov.

I don't want to forget anyone.

It is clear that 35 people are not needed for one meeting.

The final list will include 23 field, probably three more goalkeepers.

But for the goalkeepers, all questions are for Vitaly Vitalievich (Kafanov. -

).

- What is the reason for the non-call of CSKA midfielder Ivan Oblyakov?

— There are others.

Oblyakov suits everyone, but there are those who are more satisfied.

Now we have invited 35 people, should we have invited 80?

- Was the call of the Krylia Sovetov midfielder Alexander Kovalenko dictated by his level or the desire to work ahead of the curve?

After all, the football player has Armenian roots and can play for another team.

- Maybe someone else has the opportunity to represent not Russia, but another country?

Maybe there is.

Now I said that we need to get acquainted with young athletes who were not in the national team.

Is Kovalenko worthy of being included in the extended list?

I think so.

The reason is in playing qualities, and not in the presence of another passport.

- But Arsen Zakharyan got into the squad, whose transfer to Chelsea failed at the end of August.

Have you talked to him about this?

- He played with Rostov in the Russian Cup.

This was the day before they were informed that the transfer would not take place.

After the match, we exchanged a couple of phrases.

He has an absolutely normal state, somewhere there was regret that this did not happen.

Whether he is ready for such a challenge can be checked in one case - to go there and try.

It seems to me that this should be done clearly.

He will always come back here.

“In the current conditions, playing with Kyrgyzstan is a success”

— How important do you consider holding matches with such rivals as Kyrgyzstan?

“It's not even worth talking about.

This is 300% necessary.

Get together, show that we are, we are alive, we have a team.

Let's not deceive each other.

In the current conditions, playing with Kyrgyzstan is a success.

- There are rumors that in November Russia will hold two more friendly matches.

In one of them, Iran may become her opponent, and there are also rumors of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Are you satisfied with this level of opponents?

Like I said, it doesn't matter if I'm happy or not.

You all understand the situation.

It is what it is.

The fact that these teams are ready to play with us is already a success.

Iran got to the World Cup, occupies a high place in the FIFA rankings.

Another matter, there is a question on dates.

If I remember correctly, on November 21, Iran will start at the World Cup.

Therefore, it is not yet clear when he will be able to meet with us.

Possibly the 15th or 16th.

But we have an RPL tour planned for the 12th ... It is also impossible to postpone the meetings of the national championship, because there is also a Cup there.

These things need to be worked out.

RFU and RPL should study the issue.

But we really need games in November.

From the point of view of the club coach, if possible, I could offer two Cup matches scheduled for November 18-19 to play at the end of the month - after the 20th.

And finish the season as usual - in late November - early December.

Then the vacation for the players would not be 50-60 days, but less, which is correct.

- So far, it turns out that both times the Russians will perform at a party.

What is it connected with?

- It is clear that we would always like to play at home ... But the current situation does not allow us to dictate terms.

Let's get down to earth.

- What is the motivation to play for the national team in the current conditions?

- There are no official matches, so it is necessary to hold at least friendly ones.

I'm sure the players want to play for the national team, even in test matches.

- How long do you think Russia's suspension from international tournaments will last?

- What do you want me to say?

When will we be returned?

Don't know.

- Have you considered options for holding test matches with RPL teams?

- Yes.

There were such ideas.

Although later it could have support, for the sake of a joke he even offered to play with Rostov.

Then I would lead both teams from one bench.

There was also an option to gather two teams, without division into the first and second, to hold a meeting between themselves.

A possible match with the RPL stars was discussed.

But in the end, they found rivals.

Therefore, while these ideas are on pause.

— Recently, the Media League has gained great popularity.

Did you think to measure your strength with one of its representatives?

- As an option.

But I think it's more like a show.

These teams are now participating in the Cup, which, it seems to me, is of more interest to the young audience and to you, the journalists.

"The decision is for the Union, not for me"

— Your contract with the national team runs until the end of 2022.

Have you already had negotiations with the RFU on the extension of the agreement?

—

There were no discussions about this.

Let's see how the situation develops.

After the November matches, we will talk and communicate.

I don't think now is the time.

As long as I don't care.

Lots of other concerns.

- Do you have a desire to remain at the head of the national team and does its current status affect this?

- No effect.

The RFU went to meet both the adult and youth teams.

Mikhail Galaktionov and I are working, we are not idle.

There is an additional load, but it is not so big.

I see no problem if things continue like this.

Of course, if it is interesting and profitable for the RFU.

Here the decision is for the Union, not for me.

Are you planning to go to Qatar for the World Cup?

—

No.

As a club coach, he never attended the World Cup.

And I don't understand why I'm doing this now.

It is not yet clear when this part of the season will end.

We need to deal with Rostov.

What is the point of this trip?

- Look at global trends.

They look exactly the same on TV as from the stands.

This is clear.

Matches can be viewed, downloaded, scrolled back and forth, sorted out.

— Last week, Nikolai Pisarev was fired from the post of head coach of Khimki.

Will he continue to work in the national team and how will this affect the situation with Yuri Nikiforov?

Pisarev has already returned to work.

Nikiforov also remains at the headquarters, there will just be one more assistant.

- Recently, many legionnaires left the Russian championship, as a result of which domestic football players began to receive more practice.

Is the effect of this noticeable?

- Have there been more Russian players - yes.

There were more of them.

In terms of quality, it is still difficult to draw conclusions ... This is a plus that more Russians have begun to get a chance to prove themselves, as happens in Rostov or Krasnodar.

But in many teams, the Russians do not spend as much time on the field as we would like.

The same Dmitry Chistyakov, Danil Krugovoi, Alexei Sutormin.