Cherchesov gave a forecast for the 2022 World Cup and told who he is rooting for

– With what feelings does the coach-owner of the previous world championship expect a new one, where the team recently entrusted to him is absent not for sports reasons?

– The sensations are unusual, what is there. And they are connected with the fact that it seems that club games have just been going on, and you are right there with the main tournament of the planet. The championship is waiting for us a kind, no doubt. But in the midst of events will plunge immediately, without buildup. As quickly as it starts, it will continue just as fast. And that there is no our team, because we have been ready for this for a long time. We take it as a given.

– But you yourself have been invited to Qatar, I suppose?

– I will not go. I will watch at home – in Moscow and Ossetia.

– You had almost a month to prepare for the final tournament. Now allotted to someone a week, someone a little more. How will this affect the start of the tournament, and in the future?

– When you prepare a team yourself, you always know what to expect. Today we have to rely more on club coaches. But I am convinced that the mentors of all teams have their own calculation. Everything seems to be in the same position, but it is obvious that it is not the team game that will come to the fore, but the individual qualities of the players. Well, those teams will have some advantage, where the backbone has long been formed and there is no need to play from the sheet.

– From the point of view of physiology, when is it easier for football players to show their maximum – after a long season, or at such an inopportune time?

– It’s easier when you’re ready mentally and physically. Ideally. The first half of the club season in Europe was very eventful, intense, so fatigue can be present even now. With all these features, it is very important what the situation in the locker room is.

– In terms of the state of the players today, which teams have more prerequisites for success?

– I would answer this question if I worked in the national team. Today is focused on the players of my club and our rivals. And I don’t think that serious conclusions can be drawn from recent games. Clubs are one thing, the national team is another.

– So, what are your favorites? According to the ranking of bookmakers – Brazil, Argentina, France, then Spain and England with equal chances.

– Bookmakers always know more than mere mortals. So I won’t argue with them. All of these teams have great player potential. Once again, I note that a lot will depend on individual qualities. Let the championship take place in the winter, the weather conditions are still not the easiest, to put it mildly. So draw conclusions to whom it will be easier. And there will definitely be some fateful nuances.

– Brazil, France and England have not played a single friendly match. Is this correct given the lack of time?

– We are returning to the fact that each team, each coach has its own strategy. If you did not play on the eve of the tournament, then you decided to immerse yourself in the training process, to reduce the risk of injury.

– Argentina recently defeated the UAE and has 36 matches without defeat. How to relate to the scoring extravaganza in control (not friendly) games and, in general, to their results on the eve of the tournament? Belgian coach Martinez said that their defeat by Egypt is very welcome.

– As always, Argentina is the favourite, even if before it did not justify paper advances. The championship will be the last for Messi, the whole team rallied around him. This is important. And a series of 36 unbeaten matches just can’t be given out, so there is stability. At the same time, the results of the control meetings themselves say little. But they can really serve as a good shake-up, lower from heaven to earth. I agree with Martinez here.

– Spaniards coach Luis Enrique will conduct streams. So sure of yourself?

– Not ready to answer for him.

– Can you imagine yourself in such a role?

– Not.

– Your team was considered a coaching team in 2018. Which team today can be awarded with a similar epithet?

– I will single out Denmark – a very interesting, modern, organized team.

– How will the hype around Ronaldo affect the Portuguese? Is it even possible to leave everything superfluous overboard?

– Yesterday I accidentally stumbled upon a press conference of their mentor Santos. It is clear that he strives for this, like any other coach. How much will it work? Some percentages in everyone’s head still retain this information, there’s nowhere to go.

– Germany coach Flick criticized the defense rather than the attack after a strained 1-0 with Oman. Is this some kind of slyness?

– Again, this is how he saw the game, he set such tasks.

– France without Kante, Pogba, and now also Benzema. Can world champions be written off?

– The losses are serious, but they still have a lot of high-class players.

– Almost 25 percent of the polled Russians will support this team. In the group, albeit with Brazil, but with Cameroon and Switzerland, the chances of getting out, you see, are not bad?

– They have a great array of new world talent, which is not even in Croatia. When we played with the Serbs in the League of Nations, I immediately said that this team would take a qualitative step forward. And so it happened. Recently I was in Belgrade with Ferencváros. I admired the atmosphere – a truly football country.

– Whose side are your sympathies?

– I will also support the Serbs. In addition, I will keep an eye on Tunisia and my ward Aissa Leidu. He is the only one representing our Ferencvaros at the Mundial. I texted him yesterday wishing him good luck. It is a pity that the Mmae brothers did not wait for an invitation to the Moroccan national team – they counted on him very much until the last moment.

– ESPN has already selected the best players of the tournament in the following order: Mbappe, Benzema, De Bruyne, Messi, Lewandowski… Have you forgotten anyone?

– Football life is more likely to put everyone in their places.

– I have to ask you about fellow goalkeepers. Alison, Lloris, Martinez, Simon, Neuer, Courtois… Whom do you consider to be the strongest or closest to you in terms of playing style today?

– All are good in their own way. Yes, everyone has the same style.

– Golden youth – Nuno Mendes, Guardiol, Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, Musila, Saka… Who should be paid special attention to?

– I follow the Bundesliga more, so I sympathize with Musil and Bellingham. Someone is bound to shoot.

– Contrary to forecasts, Russia started its Mundial with a big victory. What would you advise the coaches-debutants of the World Cup today in order to minimize the starting jitters?

– To advise is a thankless task, and they do not need it. But I want to wish my colleagues perseverance. Especially the coach of the hosts, who is now under special pressure. I know about this firsthand.