Evgeny Aldonin, a former Russia international, suggested that the national team should secure a victory in the upcoming friendly to ease public scrutiny. He noted that a win would fend off pressure, pointing out that the team faced different expectations depending on results against diverse opponents. Aldonin emphasized that public expectations often reflect the level of competition and the perceived strength of the opposition, which can shape how the team is viewed after each game.
He added that when there is no tournament mission weighing on players, motivation tends to rise naturally, reducing the sense of pressure around the squad. In his view, the absence of a decisive mission could actually help players focus more on performance rather than on external judgment.
The Russia squad is scheduled to play Cuba on November 20. In 2023, under coach Valery Karpin, the team collected several notable results, including a 2:0 win over Iraq and a 1:0 victory against Cameroon. They also had draws with Iran and Qatar, both finishing 1:1, and a 2:2 result against Kenya. Additionally, the Russian national team participated in two youth matches against Egypt’s Olympic team (U-23), recording a draw and a loss, with a 1:1 result and a 1:2 defeat respectively.
A former football coach offered a perspective on why the Russian national team can appear unpredictable from game to game, highlighting the variability in form, tactical choices, and opposition styles that can influence performance in any given match.