The call-up of Monaco midfielder Alexander Golovin to the Russia national team is seen as beneficial for the player even though the current training camp has no friendly matches on the schedule. This view circulated through a betting portal where a former Spartak head coach commented on the situation, highlighting how even a purely formal gathering can carry value for a player who is used to a demanding club calendar.
“For Golovin, the trip to Russia has positive aspects, such as seeing family, reconnecting with friends, and sharing moments with supporters,” the former Spartak coach stated. “No matter where a player lives, if he has fans in his hometown, he wants to come home. This ring especially true when travel is difficult. It should give Golovin positive energy and influence his form.”
The coach added that gathering the national team reminds fans of how the squad operates. He argued that players must stay ready for matches at all times. He noted that head coach Valery Karpin discussed the situation with Golovin and arrived at the most suitable approach for the player.
The team’s training camp opened on Monday, October 7, at the Novogorsk training base outside Moscow. At that point, Russia did not yet have an opponent lined up for a potential friendly, and the squad approached the coming days with a focus on fitness, tactical alignment, and squad integration rather than a lineup of warm-up tests.
It emerged that the Russian Football Union offered a match against Tajikistan, but the Tajikistan Football Federation declined due to scheduling constraints, leaving the federation to seek alternatives while balancing other commitments.
In related news, the Pakistan national team’s media manager indicated the country’s unofficial squad could travel to Russia, while the RFU General Secretary Maxim Mitrofanov expressed disappointment with Pakistan’s behavior and scheduling choices.
The broader context dates back to spring 2022, when FIFA and UEFA followed the International Olympic Committee’s guidance to suspend Russia from all events under their jurisdiction. As a result, Russian players missed the 2022 World Cup playoffs, the World Cup, and the 2024 European Championship held in Germany. The move reshaped how the federation plans friendlies, qualifiers, and long-term preparation for the national team.
On September 5, the Russian team played a friendly with Vietnam in Hanoi, securing a 3-0 victory. A planned meeting with the Russia and Thailand teams in Hanoi on September 7 was canceled due to Typhoon Yagi, underscoring how external factors can disrupt international schedules.
Former Russian goalkeeper Lunev spoke about the uncertainty surrounding the team’s plans, underscoring that nothing is set in stone and officials are weighing options as they look ahead to major tournaments.