Alexander Grishin named the winners of the World Cup in Qatar and the new club of Artyom Dziuba

Qatar is hosting the 22nd FIFA World Cup. Our team was expelled from this tournament, which has already gone down in history not only as the record holder for the number of scandals around it, but also due to the sensational results of some of the matches that took place. On November 22, the Argentina national team unexpectedly lost to the team of Saudi Arabia. Or is it still expected?

– Of course, unexpectedly. I consider the Argentine national team one of the favorites of the championship, claiming the World Cup. I watched this match and I can say that the Argentines are much stronger than the team of Saudi Arabia. It seems to me that the Argentines underestimated the opponent. Scored a quick goal. Then in the first half, three more of their goals were cancelled. Perhaps they thought the game had already been won. That the victory will be easy. But Saudi Arabia showed good football. At the beginning of the second half, we scored two goals and sat in a deep defense, fought back. We chose the right tactics, played almost six defenders and three midfielders. Crazy density of the game in defense. The Argentines, having a game and territorial advantage, could not do anything. Even taking into account the sensationally large added time to the second half. The coach of Saudi Arabia was nervous, waiting for the end of the match, a hundred times showed that time was up. But the judge kept adding and adding minutes. This game kept me in suspense until the last moment. As a result, the defense prevailed over the attack.

– The Russian national team in the opening match of the 2018 World Cup defeated the team of Saudi Arabia with a score of 5:0. Now they beat the Argentines. What happened to the Saudi football players during these four years?

– Compared to our championship, the Saudi Arabia team has improved a lot. Although you should watch their next matches in Qatar, because one game in the tournament can always be won. And then lose the remaining two matches of the group stage and go nowhere. Yes, we easily beat them in 2018 and this is a plus for our team. Now they have become much stronger, which they showed in the match with Argentina.

– In the first half, the Slovenian referee Vincic marked three goals of the Argentines. How much could this affect the psychology of the players?

– This, of course, is an unpleasant moment when your goal is cancelled. You, it seems, are already starting to celebrate, believing that the ball was scored correctly. But then the VAR system comes into play and cancels your goal. This has a negative psychological impact. But, on the other hand, I have always been a supporter of the VAR. Because if the ball, scored by the Argentines from an offside position, was counted and the score would become 2-0 in their favor, Saudi Arabia might not win back. It’s good that these millimetric offsides were shown on the screen. It was a fair decision. Although, I repeat, Argentina played much better than Saudi Arabia.

– There is no lack of innovation in Qatar at all. In addition to determining offside, this is also a large amount of time that the judges began to add to the first and second halves. Given all the delays in the game. Is this innovation good for football or hindering the game?

– All innovations in football are somehow useful. But, nevertheless, it is wrong to play the second half not for 45, but for 60 minutes. Any person gets tired, and it was this time of the half – 45 minutes – that was set for a reason. The football players become “sour” and can no longer play normally. So such a large amount of added time to the second half does not benefit anyone. Tired players can no longer show high-class football. Three to five minutes is enough.

– You said that the players of Saudi Arabia spent almost the entire second half on the defensive, holding the winning score. Can we then say that such a large amount of added time is more beneficial for the defending teams, as their opponents are getting more and more tired and can no longer fully attack?

– Not. I believe that this innovation will help those teams who are better prepared and who play better. Because they will have more time to recoup in such situations. Argentina had almost 18 minutes to even draw. But the defending team, on the contrary, will be harder. Due to the difference in class, the Argentines got more playing time to score a goal. So we must pay tribute to the defense of their rivals, who managed to cover all the zones and intercept all penetrating passes, which is why the Argentines in this stoppage time could not create almost a single dangerous moment.

– This championship could be the last for both Messi and the Portuguese Ronaldo. Will the realization that this is the last championship to win the World Cup help or hinder them?

– The desire to win is inherent in the psychology of any athlete. Messi has already won everything that is possible. Except for the World Cup. This is his last championship. He’s not in as good shape as he used to be. Therefore, the Argentina national team should give him a gift and win this last title in his collection of awards. Although I personally consider the Brazilian national team to be the favorite. They were the first in the qualifying tournament for the World Cup, and the Argentines were the second. So it will not be easy for Argentina to reach the playoffs now, especially after losing the first match of the group stage. They need to pull themselves together and win their two remaining matches against Mexico and Poland. So that Messi can get the World Cup.

– In addition to the Brazilian team, who else do you consider the favorite of the tournament in Qatar?

– I liked the Danish team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Football in this country is developing well, they have their own player training system. They have not only the first team plays well. The youth team reached the final part of the European Championship. The youth teams are playing very well. So in the absence of our team, I sympathize with the Danes.

Good football show the French. There are many candidates to name. And we will see many sensations in this tournament.

– After discussing Messi, let’s move on to Ronaldo. Manchester United have announced the termination of the contract with the Portuguese striker. The reason was his recent interviews, in which he criticized the coaching staff and the club’s management. For him, the championship in Qatar may also be the last. After all, Cristiano is already 37 years old. What is happening now with this great footballer?

– He is a great player. And he has the right to express his opinion. Although, perhaps not in the same tone as he did. Saying that he does not like the coach, that everything is bad for him in Manchester. You have to look at yourself too.

I’m sure nothing will happen to him. Despite the terminated contract, he will still be in demand, because he is a top player. And quickly find a new team. At the same time, I believe that all the statements of Ronaldo are negative for Manchester itself. Like a great club, like a big brand. A lot of dirt has been poured out, and this is wrong. Of course, it’s better to sit down and discuss everything one on one with the coach or the owner of the club, so as not to pour all this dirt on the public so that everyone can see it. The rating of the team is falling, fermentation among the fans begins.

Perhaps Ronaldo played certain emotions. He wanted to show that he is a world class footballer. And in Manchester they underestimate him and do not let him play. He has the right to his opinion, but still it would be better to decide everything among themselves.

– And how would you personally, as a coach, react if your players began to give such interviews?

– Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And if a high-level player, if he helps the team win titles, then you can step over yourself and talk to him. Discuss what he can and cannot do. Tell him how I will act if he does something like that. If the player is useful to the team, then such friction must be resolved.

– Were the last matches of the Russian national team with the teams of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which ended in a goalless draw, generally needed?

– Since we were suspended from world football for a long time, I believe that these games of the national team do not carry any information. Some players refused to go, some other players should not have been called up to this team at all. They were called only for quantity, not for that. to test their playability. All of them play in the Russian championship and their level is more or less known. Since you have to assemble a national team and play matches, you need to do it with the strongest squad. Because even friendly games can bring rating points to our country’s treasury. And it is wrong to play a draw with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. And the fans are unhappy. Especially when you have no tournament motivation, when you are afraid of getting injured and losing your place in the first team of your club, where there is a good salary.

– Do we need to move to the Asian Football Confederation?

– I think no. Sooner or later we will be restored. Without Russian athletes, there is no interest in any sport in the world.

– Should Dziuba return to Russia? And does he have a place to return to?

– Artem has already proved everything to everyone in Russia. He went to Turkey and failed to prove himself with such a weak championship as the Turkish league. So he is unlikely to wait for invitations from Italy, France, Germany. The only option is to return to the RPL. There are teams that would like to invite him. But can they pay for his contract? Otherwise, it will turn out like with Ronaldo. Dzyuba also likes to talk. I think that his return to the RPL will take place, but in the teams of the second eight.

– What do you think about the numerous scandals surrounding the World Cup in Qatar?

– Scandals happen at all tournaments. Any scandal is an advertisement for the tournament. There are good and bad ads. But, nevertheless, everyone starts to discuss the tournament. Not only football, but also near-football stories. Scandal is bad. But on the other hand, the championship is starting to be watched more. This is a normal situation.