Artem Dzyuba Reflects on National Team Absence Following Cup Defeat
Lokomotiv Moscow striker Artem Dzyuba has spoken about his longing for the Russian national team after a 0-1 quarterfinal loss to Spartak in the Russian Cup. His comments were shared with Sports Express, highlighting the emotional weight of representing his country in football.
According to Dzyuba, the chance to face teams like Iraq and Iran in international play remains a distant prospect. He also clarified a personal sentiment, saying that he deeply misses the moment when the national anthem would rise before a match. He emphasized that such feelings cannot be replaced by anything else, underscoring how tied he is to his country and its footballing tradition.
The broader context involves a significant move by FIFA and UEFA that barred the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from participating in their sanctioned competitions. This decision reshaped the landscape for Russian football on the international stage and altered the way clubs and players engage with European tournaments.
In the 2022 season, Russian clubs faced limited European action. With the exception of Zenit, none of the Russian teams played in European cups. Zenit Petersburg exited the Europa League at the 1/16 finals after a 2-3 aggregate defeat to Real Betis, while Spartak Moscow progressed to the playoff rounds by advancing from the group stage and then negotiated a path forward with RB Leipzig. These outcomes highlighted the disruption caused by the sanctions and the ongoing challenges for Russian clubs competing abroad.
Vlastimil Petrzhela, who previously coached Zenit, offered his perspective on the current state of Russian football and its development under the prevailing circumstances. His observations reflect a broader debate about how the sport in Russia adapts to international restrictions and what the future might hold for players, clubs, and fans who follow the game with passion and scrutiny.