Ledyakhov gave a prediction for the World Cup semi-finals: “The Croats are closer, but Messi deserved it”

We are anticipating the first semi-final Argentina – Croatia with the participant of the 1994 World Cup, the former playmaker of Spartak Moscow and Spanish Sporting Igor Ledyakhov, who has taken a break in coaching for the time being.

– In the quarter-finals, the Croats played 0-0 in regular time, and the Argentines 2-2. What football in terms of openness to expect in the upcoming meeting?

– I think, closer to the first option. The Croatians will play defensively, and in this regard, they will dictate the nature of the game. But this is only until the first goal. As soon as it happens, the game will immediately open. We have already seen a lot of different comebacks here. And from 0:2 they even saved themselves. Whoever plays against Messi or Mbappe will always think about the safety of their goal first. The Croats did little in front, but the defense is in perfect order.

– You live in Barcelona, ​​so you have seen different Messi. Is he a leader now more than ever?

– In the national team – certainly. And he gives and scores, which he used to show only in Barca.

– The legend of the Catalan club Stoichkov said that before everyone stopped when Leo got the ball, but now everything is different.

I don’t think anyone stopped. But now Messi goes very deep to pick up the ball and break up the attack. Conducts actions throughout the field, you won’t get wet.

– His friends Lutaro, Paredes, Di Maria come only as a substitute, obviously by the decision of Messi himself as well. Friendship-friendship, but the game apart?

– I have no doubt that there is absolute unity. There should not be any mercantile interests and cannot be. And old friends just understand this best of all. Although I really like Lutaro, I recently saw him here with Inter. But somehow it didn’t work at the World Championships right away. It brings more value, coming off the bench and sharpening the game against the background of tired opponents.

– Even Stoichkov noticed that when Scaloni began to make changes with the Dutch, he broke the rhythm. Say, the Argentines retreated when van Gaal released two tall guys. Shouldn’t Dalic immediately put up his “pillars” of Petkovic and Budmir?

– Not. As I said, the Croats will start from the stove. Their forte is game discipline and there is no need to simplify the game at the expense of lanky forwards. This is already an option in case of unfavorable developments.

– In general, the Croats need to change something, or do they need an absolute copy of the squad and the game with the Brazilians?

– Best the enemy of the good. It will be strange if they change something.

– The Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti reported that an Argentinean player told his teammates about the instructions to provoke the Croats, knocking them out of the rhythm. Pushes, blows, grabs and even offensive phrases about relatives. Do you believe this is possible?

– In war and in football, all means are good. We see how much has already been said in this championship. Another thing is that this may be just an attempt to influence through the press.

– Italian Orsato, who has already worked on the game between Argentina and Mexico, is refereeing, and did not give a single yellow card then. But in the opening match he issued as many as six warnings. What manner will he choose this time – will he let him fight or put him on the whistle?

– Italians and Argentines are like-minded people. I do not think that some sympathy will be noticeable, but he will have to protect the players. Especially after all I’ve seen and heard.

– Whom do you like?

– Croats. They are somehow mentally closer. On the other hand, Messi also deserved the palm. I want to see more extra time and penalties. In the post-match series, the Croats will have some advantage at the expense of the goalkeeper.

– By the way, how did the Spaniards survive the 11-meter defeat from the Moroccans, lick their wounds before your eyes?

Yes, this will continue for a long time. Although Enrique is no longer in the national team, curses rush after him. Two tournaments in a row failed. Therefore, the new coach de La Fuente needs to immediately show some kind of result.

– Are you going to return to the coaching field?

– Yes. I am negotiating with Russian teams, clubs from neighboring countries.

– And in Spain?

– There are no options.