Former CSKA Moscow player Valery Masalitin shared his expectations for the friendly where Russia would meet Cuba and stressed that the final score would be secondary to him. He emphasized that what truly matters is how the team plays and whether the game showcases modern football concepts at the national level. Masalitin believes a forward-looking approach should guide the team, focusing on tempo, ball movement, and pressing ideas rather than chasing a particular result.
Masalitin remarked that, for him, the outcome of the Cuba match is not the main takeaway. The central objective is to observe the quality of play, the execution of tactical plans, and the players’ ability to implement a contemporary style on the field. He expressed a desire to see the Russian national team adopt a more up-to-date approach to football, highlighting the importance of technical precision, strategic positioning, and quick transitions during action phases.
The scheduled clash between the Russian and Cuban national teams is set to take place in Volgograd on November 20, with kickoff at 19:30 Moscow time. As fans prepare to watch, analysts will be paying close attention to how the squad translates training-ground concepts into competitive rhythm, especially given the significance of building international chemistry ahead of future fixtures.
Since spring 2022, the sport’s governing bodies have imposed a pause on Russia’s participation in most FIFA and UEFA competitions. This suspension means the national team and Russian clubs compete only in friendly matches under these federations’ purview, limiting exposure to high-stakes tournament play and influencing the strategic development of Russian football as a whole.
In its most recent fixture, Russia played to a 2-2 draw with Kenya in Turkey. The match illustrated how the squad can adapt under varying conditions and opponents, offering a platform to test new combinations and evaluate response under pressure. While results are not the sole measure of progress, such performances provide valuable insights into the team’s evolving dynamics and resilience in international contexts.
Historically, the Cuban national team has been viewed as an unconventional or exotic rival for the Russian squad. The pairing often brings a blend of unfamiliar tactical rhythms and different pressure profiles, presenting coaches with opportunities to experiment with formation shifts and player roles while gaining practical data on adaptability and cohesion against a non-traditional opponent.