On Tuesday, 15 November the Russian National team played a friendly match against Romania. The game that took place at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny finished with the hosts’ 1:0 win. FUR official website published a post-match interview of Stanislav Cherchesov:

Stanislav Cherchesov, Head coach of the Russian National team:

- First of all, I would like to say about the perfect atmosphere at the stadium. Thank you, “Akhmat Arena”, for such support. The supporters encouraged us all the time and we managed to score at the last minute. The game was equal; we made pressure for the first 20 minutes, had a better ball possession but then we started making mistakes. In the second half the substitutions worked: Poloz did well, Erokhin helped and Ozdoev scored. 

- This training camp was the last one for the team this year. Are there already players concerning whom you have made the definite choice: to call them for sure or vice versa never to call again?

- I would not like to discuss it here; it is not right. We shall watch the whole game once again and analyse the training camp. We cannot make light-minded decisions. The players want to play for the national team and it is not right to refuse from them with a word and a blow. For example, Poloz didn’t do very well in the previous friendly match in Qatar but helped the team in Grozny.

- Does it mean that you are satisfied with his performance?

- I am satisfied with his commitment. But I shall see the details. If everybody did everything right the team wouldn’t need a coach.

- What are you satisfied with more: the team’s performance or commitment?

- At some moments with the team’s performance too but the main thing is that we were set for the victory and finally, managed to beat the opponent. The performance will improve if there is relevant commitment.

- Is the playing pattern you used in Qatar and Grozny the main one for the national team?

- In Grozny we played with three midfielders and two forwards but in Qatar we played with four midfielders and one forward. There can be variations. It is impossible to play in the same way all the time. By the way we rebuilt our team pattern to use four midfielders in Qatar during the match already but in Grozny we didn’t manage to do that without a substitution. I didn’t like that.