Football coach Yuri Belous analyzed the Russian national team after their 1-1 draw with Iran in a friendly in Tehran on March 23. He noted that the hosts controlled large parts of the game, yet the Russians showed moments that could be built upon, with Zinkovsky standing out for his early contributions. The later phase, however, descended into defensive confusion, and the team resembled less of a cohesive unit and more of a team still searching for balance.
Belous pointed out that the challenge remained clear: maintaining a dual workload between the national squad and a club commitment complicates strategic consistency. He expressed sympathy for the national team coach, Karpin, but argued that the overlap creates inefficiencies that hinder progress for both sides. The Russian Football Union was urged to address this issue so the team can pursue steadier development.
Historically, in July 2021 Karpin took charge of the national team while also managing Rostov. Initially, the plan anticipated a dual role, but by early August he opted to concentrate on the national team, stepping away from Rostov. Following that decision, there were efforts to reorganize leadership assignments within the program to restore focus and coherence on the international stage. In a broader context, the spring of 2022 brought a significant change when FIFA and UEFA excluded Russia from all sanctioned competitions under their purviews, affecting national and club levels alike.
Additionally, Alexander Zhukov, who served as Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, commented on the draw against Iran, underscoring the unpredictability of the national team’s current cycle and the need for strategic clarity moving forward. The match served as a reminder that the path to competitiveness requires more than talent; it demands structured planning, consistent selection, and a clear separation between club and country commitments to maximize performance on the international stage. Citation: RB Sports.