Valery Karpin, the head coach of both the Russian national team and Rostov, addressed questions about why forward Alexander Sobolev was not included in the national squad list for the March training camp. His comments were reported by Sports Express and reflect a candid assessment of selection decisions as well as the form and readiness of players.
Karpin questioned Sobolev’s absence from the March pool, noting Sobolev’s performances in St. Petersburg and urging readers to consider the full context of selection. He pointed to the player’s recent club form, the quality of his performances in recent outings, and the overall balance required for the national team ahead of meaningful fixtures. The coach emphasized that selections are influenced by multiple factors, including tactical fit, current physical condition, and the dynamics of the squad as a whole. These factors, he indicated, are weighed alongside the need to maximize the squad’s competitiveness for upcoming challenges.
Looking ahead to the March window, Karpin outlined the attacking options at his disposal. In that period, he expects to rely on forwards Fedor Chalov, Konstantin Tyukavin, and Ivan Sergeev as the team prepares to face international opponents. Each striker brings a distinct set of attributes, and the coach signaled his intent to deploy a rotation that maintains pressure on opposing defenses while preserving the team’s pace and pressing intensity throughout the friendlies. The plan underscores a methodical approach to building a cohesive attacking unit that can translate domestic league form into international success.
The context surrounding the Russian national team has been shaped by events from the recent past. In spring 2022, the global governing bodies FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia from participation in official competitions under their purview. This decision affected both the national team and Russian clubs, limiting opportunities to compete in rightfully sanctioned tournaments and prompting strategic adaptations within the program. The suspension has influenced how the team prepares, schedules friendlies, and integrates players who are gaining international exposure while operations adapt to the evolving landscape of European and global football governance.
In March 2024, the Russian national team was set to play two friendly matches designed to offer valuable international experience and to help the coaching staff evaluate players under competitive conditions. Valery Karpin’s team was scheduled to meet Serbia, a side that earned a place at the 2024 European Championship, on March 21, followed by a match against Paraguay on March 25. These fixtures were framed as opportunities to test tactical plans, confirm player roles, and deepen team chemistry ahead of forthcoming competitive campaigns. The match plan also provided a platform to assess how Sobolev’s peers and emerging talents could contribute to the squad’s shape and depth in the long term.
Earlier discussions from Karpin had already addressed why some players were not brought into the national team setup for certain windows, including questions about Sobolev’s omission. The coach indicated that selection criteria extend beyond mere club appearances, encompassing performance metrics, fitness standards, and the tactical requirements of the international calendar. The ongoing dialogue around player selection reflects a broader effort to balance short-term results with the development of a sustainable team framework over multiple campaigns.