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RUSSIA’S World Cup charge has got the presidential seal of approval from Vladimir Putin.
Boss Stanislav Cherchesov says the Russian leader has been calling him throughout the tournament.
Putin attended the team’s opening win against Saudi Arabia and although he has not been present at their other matches, he has been keeping in touch with the manager and the team.
Ahead of tonight’s quarter-final with Croatia Cherchesov says that is all the motivation he and his squad need to reach the last-four on home soil.
Boost
“Putin has been calling me,” he said. “He called me before the Spanish game (in the last 16) and, of course, when the president supports you, it makes you comfortable and the players know this.
“It is just an extra boost in terms of motivation.”
Russia’s surprise run has ramped up the hopes of fans as well as the country’s leader – but Cherchesov is doing his best to avoid the hype.
He said: “As a coach, I am trying not to watch the TV, I don’t read papers, I am concentrating on my job. I believe that is the same for the players.
“I am trying not to get distracted. If I get a newspaper, I might read a headline.
from GEORGE SCOTT Criticism is good but I believe we should have our eyes and ears open.
“We Russians like extremes but let’s not go to these extremes. It should be constructive, analytical criticism.
“You say people are euphoric but we, the people in the team, are not the people who should be euphoric.
“It is a good story to remind us of our game against Spain. For our country, it is a great step forward.
“While the tournament is still going on, we see the team who was theoretically one of the best – Spain – have packed and gone home already.”
Russia have been boosted by the return of midfielder Alan Dzagoev, who has not featured since a hamstring injury forced him off after 24 minutes of the 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Cherchesov knows his players will have to be at their very best to beat a side featuring Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.
“I will not focus on one player in the Croatia team because the Croatian team is playing great and I cannot say that one player is better than the others,” he added.
“I know they are playing at a very high level. We will have do something with our players to play against them and individually our players will have to play well.”