‘Salamov bulldogs’: five reasons why the national team of Russia will win the 2018 World Cup
Our national team met with the national squad of Ghana as a preparation for the WC on 6 August. The African team was not in its best state and had quarrels inside the Ghana Football Association. Meanwhile, the Russians are full of enthusiasm and are taking a deep breath. This is why the sports staff of Realnoe Vremya prepared a list of reasons why the championship at home will be successful.
East or West home is best
It became a custom that a host team makes a good performance in world cups that take place at home. It is explained by many factors, for example, fans' support, better conditions for preparation or favourable refereeing.
But Russia is not an easy country. No one doubts that performance in their birthplace will turn on our football player's necessary tone during the preparation and matches in the WC. Let's remember the Winter Olympics in Sochi when sports, which seemed to be hopeless, gave unexpectedly good results. Football is far from it, this is why we are waiting for a big win.
Strict coach
Even Stanislav Salamovich's appearance demonstrated he doesn't look like a liberal coach who can accompany you to smoke hookah in order to celebrate a win in the group. No, our players will have a serious, sometimes dictatorial approach during the preparation for the Mundial. Cherchesov has a strong discipline, a game for the team and motto 'all for one, one for all'. Don't surprise if instead of today's glamour squad we have a fighting team of 'bulldogs' that are ready to gnaw not only the ground but also its rivals.
Our national team players often let themselves laxity, weak will, half-hearted game, in brief, — a 'Slovenian syndrome'. Cherchesov is not the coach who tolerates such an attitude of players to their work. He doesn't have authoritative players. He is not used to making concessions. The World Cup is the most responsible tournament for our country. It means Stanislav Cherchesov won't change, and we will have cool football! You will see for yourself.
Historical component
Historically, after the dissolution of the USSR, the national team of Russia won the group stage in finals of World Cups and Euros only once. It was in 2008 when our players reached the Euro's semi-final and left noticeable footsteps in history.
This time the fact that a host team anyway wins in its group and almost always reaches 1/8 finals when big tournaments take place will be to our benefit. It means that we will certainly have time to strengthen playing ties in the collective, prepare necessary combinations, the squad, etc. We will also have an atmosphere full of patriotism that will motivate our players. So we expect only good results.
New players who are hungry for victories
The new coach also brought new players. It is good that Cherchesov is preparing another defence without inviting Sergey Ignashevish. At the moment Berezutsky remained in the squad. But he is supposed to be a connection between the two generations of players – the old and the new players.
It is also important that Stanislav Salamovich seems to have staked on Rostov's scheme where five defenders play. If it is true, Kurban Berdyev, who likes to fill redoubts of his teams with Russian players, almost became our consultant. It is a pity that Novoseltsev left him. But Granat came instead, Kudryashev remained. It means the national team will continue to receive Kurban Berdyev's valuable instructions via 'informers' – Rostov players. It is half the battle.
To make so that 'twelve players' will have nothing to reproach themselves
Russia has not only a broad soul but also space where the world cup will take place. It is doubtful that there is another territorial location that helps the national team of its country so obviously.
Our team is unlikely to cross the Urals and cover long distances from city to city. We all know first-hand what a long trip is like, though there are comfortable vehicles. In this case, playing their games in Moscow and Petersburg, the national team of Russia will get more time for rest and preparation. If we add the absence of acclimatisation, we get just 'nuclear' support from the geographical location of the country.
We have been constantly telling off and spitting from the game of the national team of Russia for several years. We used to see our players and coaches' bad sides rather good ones. We don't note how much they suffer psychologically. I know it first-hand how difficult it is to find an excuse for millionaires who play with the ball depending on their mood. But now I think it is time to be with them. Let's leave our rancour and squabbles behind and start from scratch, so that we will be able to say in two years that 'We did it together!' If we fail, at least, there will be one '12 th player' less among the guilty people.