Russia’s progress at the 2018 world cup deserves to be remembered fondly. Given almost no hope, a team of unlikely heroes dared to make their country proud.
Expectation
Since the collapse of the soviet union, Russia had struggled to make it out from the group stages at almost all major competitions. In the run-up to the world cup, they had managed the feat just once, a decade earlier at the European Championships of 2008: a memorable 3-1 victory over the Netherlands extending their eventual run to the semi-finals. That success came on the back of a talented generation, one that had brought continental club success as well: CSKA Moscow winners of the UEFA cup in 2005, Zenit St. Petersburg in 2008.
At the time Russia’s stars seemed to be aligning, and Andrey Arshavin was shining the brightest of all. The “little magician” had dazzled the rest of the world with his performances that year and became the poster boy for Russia’s winning world cup bid. Conjuring together a wonderful grinning image for the outside world to embrace – exactly what Russian football was meant to be. Further success seemed not only possible but likely.
Russia, of course, basked in that euphoria, but their Sbornaya meanwhile had failed to even qualify for the current World Cup – and for the second consecutive time. After the housing crisis, the biggest bubble of 2008 may have been Russian football. Arshavin’s next magic trick would be to make that bubble burst.
Russia collapsed miserably at the 2012 Euros, and once again Arshavin grabbed the headlines, saying: ‘The fact that we didn’t meet your expectations is not our problem – it’s your problem. In 2016, four years and two managers later Arshavin was long gone but nothing appeared to have changed: Pavel Mamaev was unapologetic after Russia’s group stage Euros exit, posting a photo of himself on Instagram and simply saying: “I await **** in the comments”.
Trial and error brought about new managerial changes and approaches, and Russia’s last trial would leave no room for error. In fact, it would feel something like a trial in the legal sense: Stanislav Cherchesov’s appointment embodied the frustrations of the Russian public, and all the cumulative problems and emotions felt like they were heaped onto him. The way he dressed, the way he talked, the way he had Russia play football – the whole package, it only ever suggested a reality which nobody wanted to take responsibility for.
Preparation
Cherchesov took over when the only official competition remaining before the World Cup was the Confederations Cup. He inherited a squad with many vulnerabilities and few obvious strengths.
The technical ability of Russia’s players had deteriorated, so the combination style of football that Russia historically liked to play was now ineffective, and if then – reliant on one or two unreliably fit players. In defence there had also historically been too much dependence on key players, Vasili Berezutski and Sergey Ignashevich had just announced their international retirement following the Euros, forcing Cherchesov to look at unproven centre-backs. In addition with Igor Denisov as a persona non grata, there was a lack of tried and tested holding midfielders. The lethargic nature in midfield and the lack of defensive quality among fullbacks added further difficulties.
Russia possessed three high quality forwards: Fyodor Smolov, Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Kokorin. There were no concerns about their ability, however here the mentality of these players was often brought into question. Dzyuba and Kokorin were not taken to the Confederations cup after Kokorin had a lax season and Dzyuba allegedly had a conflict with Cherchesov (officially an injury) – a mysterious video then surfaced of them possibly making fun of Cherchesov’s moustache. Smolov meanwhile was playing consistently well, however, there were perhaps thoughts of a move abroad and a lack of competition for his place keeping him from true focus.
Cherchesov experimented with different players and formations but eventually at the Confederations Cup Cherchesov would make use of three central defenders and a fairly defensive group of players. Depending on how cynically you looked at it: either the centre-backs had strength in numbers, or the lateral defenders were allowed not to have to defend. Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksandr Samedov as wingbacks offered the main attacking outlet but both were now shadows of their younger selves. The midfield was unbalanced, the defence uncertain, and Smolov was often left frustrated. It proved hard viewing and Russia failed to qualify from their group.
Injuries to some of Russia’s key players had affected the Confederations Cup quite badly and would strike again before the World Cup. Viktor Vasin and Georgi Dzhikiya both received season-ending cruciate ligament injuries, which arguably left Russia without their five first-choice central defenders (Alexey Berezutski having also retired after the Confederations Cup). Among others, Roman Zobnin (cruciate ligaments) and Fernandes (hamstring injury) also threatened not to make it, but both would manage to recover in time. Kokorin was not so fortunate, he demonstrated a standout 2017/2018 season and seemed to have changed his attitude but agonisingly he injured his cruciate ligaments and was ruled out. Dzyuba, meanwhile having had an impressive finish to the season arguably benefited in the pecking order.
En-route to becoming the world’s 70th best-ranked team Russia played what seemed like endless friendlies. In the final two before the world cup (once 38-year-old Ignashevich had been recalled from retirement) Cherchesov suddenly switched to using two central defenders. Zobnin, alongside Daler Kuzyaev and Aleksandr Golovin formed a young midfield trio without lethargy, pressing visibly improved, but otherwise the team wasn’t convincing. There was a lingering uncertainty in defence, and Smolov still looked isolated – few goals were coming from open play and not without opposition mistakes. Russia recorded no wins in their final seven friendlies and with five wins out of seventeen games overall: Cherchesov’s management so far gave little certainty that that they were ready to change that.
They approached the tournament ranked the lowest of all the teams, and the final squad choice met serious objections: Denis Glushakov, Denisov, and Dmitriy Kombarov some of the notable exclusions. There were otherwise high hopes for naturalised Brazilian Fernandes, Smolov, and a few young players such as Zobnin, Golovin, the Miranchuk twins, and Kuzyaev, who had all performed well at club level in the 2017/2018 season. However on an international level and with Cherchesov it looked like they were heading towards another missed opportunity. Success seemed not only unlikely but almost impossible.
Ch-ch-changes
The fateful day came, and irrespective of overall footballing stature – when Russia were to play Saudi Arabia, they were neighbours in the Fifa rankings. There was no clear favourite and most were unequivocally predicting a dull and uneventful opener. It would prove to be the first surprise of a tournament that provided many.
It was not the quantity of goals but rather the quality that stood out. Russia scored five very high quality goals in an entertaining game. They coped excellently with neat Saudi passing, and focused on their own impressive pressing and clinical finishing. The two negatives from that game were perhaps blessings in disguise, turned around as such by Cherchesov’s management: Alan Dzagoev’s injury and Smolov’s ineffectiveness.
Dzagoev’s injury after Russia were leading 1-0 allowed Golovin to slot into a more natural position and for Denis Cheryshev to come on as Dzagoev’s replacement. Cheryshev had been a surprise inclusion for some; a player who had not featured much at all for Russia previously, and once said that he felt more Spanish than Russian: he was something of a wildcard but proceeded to score two outstanding goals – his first goals for Russia. Cheryshev’s appearance had a potent effect: it made Russia’s wings more dangerous, and took pressure off of Golovin and Zhirkov to fulfil duties they didn’t excel in.
Dzyuba later came on for the ineffective Smolov – without anything extra he was there where he needed to be in order to score – within around a minute. Dzyuba’s efficient hold-up play linked up well with Golovin, who having been instrumental all game with his technical quality and positive running added to his two assists with a goal in the last minute. After all the bleak preparation, this game critically instilled some belief.
Russia again exceeded expectations against Egypt. Zhirkov now firmly focused on defending, together with Zobnin managed to contain Mo Salah. While Fernandes with the support of Samedov, who’d spent so many games playing wingback was able to effectively overload the right wing. Cheryshev and Dzyuba both scored once again to win the game for Russia. Dzyuba’s physicality and Cheryshev’s deft finishing key – the decision to start them Cherchesov’s.
Already Russia had met and exceeded expectations – they had scored eight goals and qualified from the World Cup group phase for the first time since 1986. Like other teams in their position, Russia rotated their players for the final group game, disappointing but probably necessary. Not having the depth of squad as for example France, it impacted Russia’s squad heavier, not least when Igor Smolnikov got a red card. Such nuances escaped those who then took a 3-0 loss against Uruguay to show that Russia would struggle if they made it any further. The Russian players once again had shown desire and work ethic, though it was true the game highlighted a certain reliance on key players and limits to Russia’s strengths.
In the luck of the draw Russia got recent champions Spain, a team who Russia even arguably at their recent best in 2008 could never beat. Russia had drawn with Spain in one of the better pre-tournament friendlies 3-3, but this was inevitably going to be a very different game.
Russia changed back to using five defenders as they had practiced before the tournament, and Cheryshev started from the bench. Spain pulled no surprises, putting on relentless pressure as Russia sat deep. Brilliant individual performances from the defence, in particular Fernandes and Akinfeev, as well as eager running from the rest of the team ensured that Russia covered the threat. Speculatively Russia even had a chance to win the game in normal time – had only Smolov made the right pass to the Cheryshev.
Long accosted, Akinfeev finally found international redemption with two penalty saves which sent Russia through to the quarter finals for the first time in their history. Akinfeev’s final save with his leg was commemorated as the “leg of god” on social media. There was frenzy on the streets, a belief that Russia even had an outside chance at winning the competition, people started wearing moustaches in a sign of solidarity with Cherchesov – a so called “moustache of hope”.
Against Croatia however the wonderful journey came to an end. Russia did well to frustrate their opposition, although Zhirkov who’d played no minor part in Russia’s progress was now injured, and the stress test from Croatia’s wings would eventually tell. Russia’s initial set up with four at the back and Cheryshev starting seemed to work, as Cheryshev scored a wonder goal again. But Croatia equalised quickly as Russia’s Fernandes got caught up in adventure, pressing high up the pitch. Croatia finally took the lead in extra time, the consequence of a brief moment of defensive panic.
Dzagoev’s return from injury was a final roll of the dice but it worked to set up Fernandes and equalise in turn for Russia. It would give Russia’s eventual progress a fitting sense of fate. But it was clear that everyone was simply exhausted: Cherchesov, the players, and probably the fans too. They’d made it into unknown territory at the absolute limit of their collective strengths. Fine margins had cost them, the penalty lottery numbers would come out wrong, but Russia’s achievements were not by chance.
Humble Heroes
It is of course possible to find excuses for each game to undermine this team. Saudi Arabia had been fasting for Ramadan and were physically pale against Russia. Mo Salah was probably not at his best, having only come back from a shoulder injury. Spain had had their manager sacked just before the tournament start. That would be a cynical and contentious exercise. Russia went into none of their games as clear favourites, had their own troubles aplenty, yet consistently challenged and frequently overcame their opponents.
Throughout the tournament some insisted on calling Russia a poor team, or a bad team. What they probably meant was that Russia have a group of players lacking stars. It was clear already in the first few games that Russia had a very good team, even “ready to die for each other”.
There was no strength in stars names, but did Russia have star performers? Certainly, and far more than one. In hindsight it’s clear that all the friendlies, even the Confederations Cup, were uniquely geared towards preparation. Right up to the last moment Cherchesov was still taking the time, which he didn’t have much of, to probe players (of which he also didn’t have much choice in) both tactically and mentally – as he had every right to do.
In his final squad selection there was nobody who didn’t get a chance and could have been unhappy or who was given a chance and catastrophically affected the result. Cherchesov has said that all the preparation was meant to determine who could really play for Russia at this tournament with the right mentality – this was the foundation of Russia’s success.
Each player had his own motivation to work hard, and this is especially encouraging since many were young by Russian standards, and look like they won’t be falling into the same doldrums that many of the older players have experienced. Despite how it appeared, those who played were there on merit and not simply based on age and experience, or the demands of the public. Cherchesov, bravely stubborn, used the exact players that this tournament needed, and with that achieved an almost perfect balance in both tactics and squad harmony when and where it mattered. On the occasion it was a unique coming together of emotions, a bit of fortune, and astute management.
The Irony Of Fate
Former Russia manager Fabio Capello’s prediction that Smolov would become the Russian star of this tournament did not come true, and it was one shared by most followers of Russian football. It’s ironic that the man surrounded with expectation and glamour was the one who arguably hindered their final progress.
Cherchesov calls it a moral victory, not a sporting one. He believes that Russia could have made it even further into the competition. Undoubtedly it was painful that Russia came so close and that a panenka penalty attempt by Smolov likely held them back. Probably however it is just a sign that there is still work to be done, equally with the superfluous criticism that followed of Smolov.
Roberto Mancini, another Italian who had been linked with the Russia job in the past, managed to uniquely influence Russia’s progress as manager of Zenit. A season of turmoil that he brought about meant that Dzyuba had actually played most of his football at Arsenal Tula on loan. It was there that he showed excellent form and a real desire to prove himself.
Kokorin, were it not for his injury would probably also have influenced the formation that Russia played or taken Dzyuba’s/Cheryshev’s place. There is close to no chance that Kutepov and Ignashevich would have started had Dzhikiya and Vasin been fit, Ignashevich wouldn’t even have been called up.
Croatia of course were the ones who had also allowed Russia to make it to the 2008 Euros when they beat England in qualifying. This time however Russia didn’t have to rely on anyone else but themselves; this team of unlikely heroes even beat Spain, who’d knocked them out Arshavin and co.
Out Of This World
It is common in Russian football to say something is out of this world or “cosmos”. Usually the context is cynical, like CSKA finding themselves with otherworldly champions league opponents. It can occasionally however have positive connotations: Cherchesov is now being called cosmos and out of this world, getting marriage propositions etc.
There is no escaping stories and emotions as part of football. Dzyuba himself during the tournament of all things paraphrased Albus Dumbledore out of Harry Potter: “even in the darkest of moments there can be a glimmer of light”. A meaningful lesson to take away however is that the reality that fans see because of that “darkness” can be misleading.
Cherchesov isn’t magic, just like Arshavin wasn’t magic. Reality doesn’t have to be magical, it just has to feel genuine. This team of unlikely heroes can inspire an important legacy:
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