On Wednesday at the Bor base near Moscow, the Russian team began to prepare for the first qualifying match of the 2008 European Championship against the Croats. Russian mentor Guus Hiddink admitted to reporters that he was not at all worried about this: “I’m such a coach.”
Guus Hiddink and RFU President Vitaliy Mutko gave a press conference on the first day of the gathering. But Mutko actually warmed up with reporters in the corridor of the Bor Hotel, which leads to the dining room. The head of Russian football just got out of there and stopped in front of television cameras to speak on several key issues of our time.
“There are no trifles now,” said the president of the RFU. - You will remember: what, at the World Cup all matches were good? Such a cart was sometimes dragged! But they know how to file it. And we also need to learn.
Later, at a press conference, Vitaly Mutko addressed the audience with a welcoming speech, in particular, solemnly declaring: "Finally, our expectations have come to an end." This, apparently, meant that here we waited for the qualifying round of the European Championship. Guus Hiddink on this occasion announced that he was not at all worried:
- I’m such a type of coach: I’m not worried, I don’t worry and don’t cry. Yes, Vasily is not with us today (it was about the injured defender Vasily Berezutsky, who is now being treated in Germany and will not be able to play with the Croats. - Izvestia). So, I will be happy to work with other players.
Journalists were interested in the story with Alexander Borodyuk. A few days ago, Hiddink mentioned that Borodyuk would not go with the youth team to play against Finland to be held this Saturday. Yesterday the Dutchman was asked how this is possible: after all, Borodyuk is the head coach of the youth team.
- Borodyuk will leave with the national team to Finland on Saturday, and on Sunday evening he will return and join us. This became possible due to the fact that we changed the training program for the main team. It now consists of two blocks with a break for the weekend. If I worked on Sunday, then, of course, Alex would not let go. But now, when the plans changed, I myself was planning to go to Finland, although then I decided to stay. And Borodyuk will go, ”said the mentor.
The situation with Rinat Dasayev remained unclear. Either he will enter the coaching staff of the national team, or not. Vitaliy Mutko shed light on this mysterious story:
- There was an offer to Dasaev to enter the headquarters. But not just to the national team headquarters, but to work with all the goalkeepers in our youth teams. He suggested his option: to work only in the main part-time team, that is, not to abandon his academy. We could not accept it. Therefore, in the near future the team will have a new coach for working with goalkeepers.
- Not Ovchinnikov? - joked one of the journalists.
Vitaly Mutko laughed, and Hiddink obviously misunderstood the joke.
Regarding the closest rival - the Croatian national team, with whom Hiddink recently played at the World Cup, coaching the Australians, it was said this:
- I have people from the Football Federation and beyond, who help to collect information about the Croats. They have changed a lot lately, especially in the last week. The victory over Italy is a very good result (the Croats won the world champions in a friendly match. - Izvestia). There is a new coach, and, apparently, new views on the game. We are full of respect for this team, but let's not forget that we are full of respect for ourselves. We need to show advanced, dominant football, - the Dutchman started to wind up. After some time, he already announced that Russia should be among the five leading European teams.
Communication with the press was already ending when a woman's voice asked for permission to ask another question. Allowed.
“I have two questions,” the correspondent said.
“A typical woman,” Hiddink reacted. “You give her the opportunity to ask one question — she asks two.”
The correspondent eventually asked four questions, in particular, she was interested in Hiddink's forecast for the match Italy - France, as well as who will replace Zidane and Materazzi.
- Regarding who will win: Italy or France, I will answer - Russia, - retorted the coach.
Having made such a prediction, the coach retired to the dining room. According to knowledgeable people, dumplings were served that day.
Chermen Dzgoev