The Russian national team has revealed its starting lineup for the upcoming friendly against Serbia, marking an early test for the squad ahead of the year’s fixtures. The selection features a mix of seasoned internationals and rising talents, reflecting the coaching staff’s approach to balance experience with fresh energy on the field.
<p The goalkeeper chosen is Matvey Safonov, who will be tasked with organizing the defense from the back and ensuring secure handling of Serbia’s attacking threats. The line of defenders includes Daniil Khlusevich, Maxim Osipenko, Alexander Silyanov, and Sergei Volkov, each expected to contribute reliability, positional discipline, and quick transitions into attack. In midfield, Anton Miranchuk and Danil Glebov are set to anchor the engine room, offering ball recovery, close control, and distribution that aims to connect defense with the forward line. Dmitry Barinov and Alexander Golovin bring a blend of solidity and creativity, with Golovin, who plies his club trade in Monaco, designated to steer proceedings and lead the team as captain from the pitch. Finally, Konstantin Tyukavin and Ivan Oblyakov provide attacking spark and width to stretch the Serbian defense and create goal-scoring opportunities.
The pre-match ambiance will feature Golovin wearing the captain’s armband, signaling his leadership role as the team steps onto the field at a purpose-built stage in Moscow. The venue for this friendly is the VTB Arena, a known focal point for international fixtures, where the players will pursue a performance that reflects the ongoing development under the current coaching staff.
Kickoff is scheduled for 20.00 Moscow time, giving fans a precise window to tune in from across the country. This fixture represents the Russian national team’s first official appearance of 2024, a milestone that carries significance for both the squad and its supporters as they gauge progress and chemistry ahead of a busy year of fixtures.
In addition to the Serbia clash, Valery Karpin’s team is set to meet Paraguay on March 25 as part of the March training camp, a matchup designed to test tactical plans and player fitness ahead of forthcoming competitive assignments. The preparation during this period is focused on building cohesion, implementing strategic rotations, and evaluating personnel under varying tactical scenarios to optimize performance for the national team’s ambitions in the season ahead.
Historically, the Russian national team has navigated periods of suspension from FIFA and UEFA iterations, which began in spring 2022 when both organizations halted participation in their competitions for Russia. Since that suspension, the national team has fielded only friendly matches, using them to maintain match readiness and continuity. In 2023, the team continued this approach, engaging in several friendlies to keep players sharp and to refine combinations amid evolving managerial plans and squad selection choices.
Looking ahead, discussions around leadership, squad depth, and possible strategic shifts in the coaching setup have surfaced among observers. When such topics emerge, the aim is to balance expectations with the reality of rebuilding momentum and leveraging the players’ strengths on the international stage. The focus remains on preparing the squad for upcoming challenges, with the coaching staff monitoring performance and readiness across the squad as plans for the year unfold, including potential adjustments that could influence future call-ups and leadership roles.