Regular calls from Putin have given Russians ‘motivation boost’

World Cup quarter-final Fisht Stadium Tonight, 7pm Live on ITV

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov believes messages of support from president Vladimir Putin provide extra motivation for him and his players.

Putin attended the team’s World Cup opening win against Saudi Arabia and although he has not been present at their other matches he has been keeping in touch with Cherchesov.

“Putin has been calling me. 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,” he said ahead of today’s quarter-final against Croatia. “It is just an extra boost in terms of motivation.” The hosts’ surprise progress to the quarter-final has ramped up the hopes of home fans but Cherchesov insists – aside from taking calls from the president – that he is trying to steer clear of the hype.

“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,” he added. “I am trying not to get distracted. If I get a newspaper I will read a headline. Criticism is good but I believe we should have our eyes and ears open.

“We Russians like extremes so let’ s not go to these extremes. I believe it should be constructive, analytical criticism.”

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident his side can handle the atmosphere as they come up against a partisan Russian crowd in Sochi. Dalic said: “They will have vociferous fans but every week our team plays with opposing fans howling at them. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Dalic hopes his team can maintain the standards they have already set in the tournament, most memorably in their group-stage win over Argentina. He said: “I can’t tell you their gameplan or tactics but I know our gameplan. We have to repeat what we have been doing in the last four games, be well organised and defend well. We have the quality to do that.”