| A CSKA player was finally called up to the national team The Russian national team will not be left without representatives from the national champion CSKA. On the first day of the training camp before the opening match of the World Cup qualifying round with the Slovak team, Russian head coach Georgy Yartsev still called up one army player - goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
And at first, the participation of CSKA players in the upcoming match was not foreseen by the coaching staff of our team. Georgy Yartsev has not been too fond of the army team lately. After CSKA President Evgeniy Giner asked the head coach several unpleasant questions at the RFU executive committee, where Yartsev reported for his performance at the European Championship, CSKA players were not invited to the team’s base in Bor. And although the parties did not inflate the conflict, realizing that there would be no winners in this confrontation, the fact remained: not a single player was called up for a friendly match with the Lithuanian team. There were no army players on the list of invitees for the game with Slovakia. Neither Aldonin, who was the main player of the national team at the European Championship, nor Ignashevich, who had recovered from an injury, nor Kirichenko, whom Yartsev himself called one of his favorite strikers, received a call.
The situation was resolved after it became known that the injured Lokomotiv goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov, his teammate Dmitry Sychev and Zenit midfielder Vladimir Bystrov would not be able to take part in the upcoming match. It was decided not to call anyone to replace the last two. But it was not possible to enter the match with one goalkeeper in the lineup. This is how Igor Akinfeev returned to the national team. “Despite the current situation, there is no panic,” Georgy Yartsev commented. - I have never been afraid to take risks. Instead of these three players, only one player will be called up to the team - CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. I won't call anyone else. Therefore, 17 people are preparing for the match with Slovakia.” At the same time, the coach of the Russian national team explained the absence of other CSKA players: “Gusev has lost his form and now he doesn’t even make it into the first team of his club. Ignashevich underwent treatment for two and a half months. He played only two matches, and it is unknown how Sergei will behave in the national team. When Gazzaev came to CSKA, he shook up the team. Therefore, it is inappropriate to tear Ignashevich out of the club. However, don't be surprised if he is invited back to the national team soon. But not for this match."
Thus, before the match with Slovakia, Yartsev again has problems in the center of defense. Onopko was left out of the national team, torpedo player Bugaev was injured, and Rubin defender Sharonov did not perform very well in the last friendly match. And the three goals the Russians conceded against Lithuania give rise to sad thoughts. Yartsev himself admits that the upcoming opponent will be stronger than the Lithuanian team.
“Slovakia is a strong and powerful team,” as always, the head coach of the Russian team described the enemy in general terms. - They are always serious about fighting. This is one of the group's favorites. But we play at home in front of our fans. You need to remove all emotions. Players should not be afraid of this opponent. Of course, I would like to achieve victory. But it will be difficult to do this.” However, Yartsev was generous with compliments to his opponents yesterday. “We need to be wary of everyone,” the Russian head coach said sagaciously. - Under no circumstances should you lose points in matches with outsiders. The clear favorite is Portugal. But this team has undergone major changes. For example, Figo left the national team. It’s still unclear how this team will play.”
Composition of the Russian national team. Goalkeepers - Igor Akinfeev, Vyacheslav Malafeev; defenders - Vadim Evseev, Alexey Bugaev, Dmitry Sennikov, Denis Kolodin, Alexander Anyukov, Roman Sharonov; midfielders - Alexey Smertin, Vladislav Radimov, Dmitry Alenichev, Andrey Karyaka, Dmitry Khokhlov, Denis Boyarintsev; forwards - Alexander Kerzhakov, Andrey Arshavin, Dmitry Bulykin. Andrey VDOVIN |
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