Former Krasnodar midfielder Maxim Demenko assessed the current strength of the Paraguay and Serbia national teams, the opponents chosen for a pair of upcoming friendly matches against Russia. He looked at recent performances, noting how both teams have shown resilience and organization on the international stage, and he suggested that the clash could reveal a balanced level of competition for the Russian side as well.
During his assessment, Demenko referenced an interview with Valery Karpin and speculated that the Russia coach may have watched the recent Serbia and Paraguay fixtures. He argued that the teams appear evenly matched in terms of tactical discipline, depth, and overall tempo. The former player emphasized that football today feels more level across nations, making any warm-up encounter a meaningful test rather than a routine exercise. He added that the upcoming friendly should offer a stern challenge for the Russian squad and that spectators should expect a competitive game rather than a stroll for the home side.
The context of Russia’s national team participation is also a key backdrop to these friendlies. In the spring of 2022, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend Russia from competitions under their jurisdiction, affecting both the national team and all Russian clubs. Since that decision, Russia has mainly played in friendly matches as it navigates a period outside the world’s major governing bodies’ official tournaments. This pause has influenced squad selection, preparation routines, and the overall approach to international fixtures during the interim.
On March 21, Valery Karpin’s squad will face the Serbian national team in a friendly at the VTB Arena. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 Moscow time, a timing that allows fans across Russia and the broader region to tune in and gauge the team’s development ahead of more competitive tests. Such a meeting will provide a practical glimpse into the tactical ideas the current coaching staff is promoting and how players are adapting to new systems and roles on the field.
Then, on March 25, Russia will host Paraguay in Moscow, presenting another opportunity to observe the squad’s cohesion and readiness. The pairing of these two opponents is deliberate: both teams have shown steady growth in international play, and both present different kinds of challenges that can help the Russian group refine its approach, physical preparation, and decision-making under pressure. The back-to-back schedule is designed to produce valuable data for the coaching team, from pressing intensity to ball control and transition moments in game conditions.
In the recent period, the Russian side has played a series of friendly fixtures, reflecting a broader strategy to maintain match sharpness and identity despite the absence from official competitions. These games have featured a mix of experienced international players and emerging talents, with the aim of building depth and consistency across the squad. The ongoing discussion around potential changes in leadership or coaching direction remains part of the broader conversation among fans and analysts as Karpin continues to steer the national team through this transitional phase, balancing immediate results with long-term development. Given the evolving landscape, supporters are watching closely to see how the team adapts to new tactical demands and how younger players seize opportunities when called upon in high-stakes settings.