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Coach Stanislav Cherchesov seems to be the only Russian who does not let himself be carried away by the euphoria of Russia's greatest triumph in a World Cup for decades.
In the quarter-finals, Croatia will represent a completely different challenge for the hosts. it has to adapt.
While his players continued to celebrate in the locker room and the Russians flooded Red Square to celebrate the win against Spain on Sunday, Cherchesov was reviewing a list of medical exams, sessions tactics and made decisions.
"The job is done, now we think about the next game," said the coach. Celebrate? "For later," he replied.
The gross strategist admits that the other teams are more talented, but the triumph against Spain – expected "to the nearest millimeter" – proves that a proper strategy is everything.
An ultra-defensive approach from Russia worked against a Spain that did not want to take risks despite having completed more than 1000 pbades, but virtually none in the rival zone. La Roja's defensive errors, a possible symptom of coaching change two days before the start of the World Cup, allowed Russia to take advantage of its few chances in attacking.
Croatia reached the quarterfinals like Russia – shooting after a 1-1 draw – but its triumph over Denmark was completely different, and its style could hurt Russia on Saturday in Sochi. Midfielder Luka Modric circulates the ball with a more frontal intention, something that Spain has suffered. In addition, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic offer versatility in the attack, Russia did not have to fight in the round of 16.
Croatia will take note of Spain 's rebound in the expansion, when it risked more and began to demand more to the Russian back. When Rodrigo entered the right wing, he forced a good intervention from goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, before Dani Carvajal missed the second attempt.
Only Uruguay was able to clear the Russian defense, beating the whole of Cherchesov 3-0 in the closing of the group stage. Russia struggled to contain forward Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, although there was little stake with both teams qualified in advance for the second round. The early expulsion of Igor Smolnikov and the intense heat in Samara have decreased Russian trade. A cooler climate is planned for the Sochi meeting.
Russia can play with five defenders, as she did against Spain, or a line of four, as have shown her three matches in the first phase. However, putting five defenders against Croatia could show the limits of the Russian side.
Left-back Yuri Zhirkov "I'm scared he played his last game of the tournament" with a knee injury, said Cherchesov. Before Zhirkov's departure, Fedor Kudryashov went to the left wing. Vladimir Granat entered central defense, but could not make a single pbad in the whole match. The only other option was the center back Andrei Semyonov, whose last participation at the national team was in March 2017.
Cherchesov will have plans for all that Croatia can do.
It's one thing to have a good team or a good player, "he said." Another thing is to be a good team or a good player at the right moment and at the right time. That's what we have. "
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