Artem Dzyuba, the striker for Lokomotiv Moscow, made a public joke about Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian national team, during a lighthearted broadcast of a YouTube show. The program, titled Well, that’s impossible, featured Dzyuba alongside the program’s host and coach Leonid Slutsky, while seasoned commentator Dmitry Guberniev joined as a guest. The conversation touched on the possibility that Karpin might overlook the striker for national team duties, sparking a discussion about selection criteria and national team strategy.
During the exchange, Dzyuba pressed Guberniev with a pointed question about leadership in national football. He challenged the notion that Karpin, whom he described as an expert, fully grasps the nuances of the game, and he asked whether Guberniev himself would be interested in taking charge of the national squad. The moment underscored a broader public debate over coaching philosophy and selection decisions that has circulated among fans and pundits in recent months.
Dzyuba’s latest appearance for Russia on the international stage was at the European Championship held in June 2021. In the history books of the national team, he stands among the all-time top scorers, tied with Alexander Kerzhakov at thirty goals, a figure that reflects his impact on Russian football over many years and underlines why his future with the national side is a topic of continued interest for supporters and analysts alike.
Looking ahead, the Russian national team is scheduled to play three matches in September. The plan includes a pairing with the U23 national team on September 7 and September 11 in Egypt, followed by a fixture against the Qatar national team on September 12. As of now, the kickoff times for these matches have not been announced, leaving fans to speculate about travel logistics, stadium atmospheres, and potential tactical alignments for these September tests. Analysts are watching closely to see how Karpin’s squad rotation and formative selections might influence the outlook for Russia in the current competitive window.
Earlier remarks from Guberniev about Dzyuba, coupled with the discussion on national team selection, illustrate how a single broadcast can stir ongoing conversations about coaching leadership, player eligibility, and the evolving expectations placed on national teams in international football. Observers note that these dialogues, while often provocative in tone, contribute to a broader public understanding of how national teams are built, balanced, and prepared for forthcoming regional and global competitions. The episode of the show serves as a snapshot of the ongoing dynamic between players, coaches, media commentators, and fans as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of Russian football and its international ambitions. In this context, Dzyuba’s remarks are seen not as a final statement but as part of a larger discourse about merit, selection, and the timing of a national team’s strategic choices.