Valery Gladilin, once a member of Spartak Moscow as well as its coach, expressed curiosity about a Russian national team lineup that excludes the usual starters. He noted that watching a version of the team without the familiar names could reveal new dynamics, openings, and perhaps an unexpectedly revealing style of play that often goes unseen when the core players are present.
Reports indicate that midfielders Alexei Miranchuk, who plays for Torino, and Alexander Golovin of Monaco will miss the March training camp due to injuries. Spartak defender Georgiy Jikia, sidelined by an injury, will also be unavailable for the national team’s forthcoming matches. The absence of these players will shape the team’s options and how the coaching staff assesses depth and versatility during preparation. The impact of their non-participation will likely be analyzed both in training sessions and in future selections as the schedule tightens.
Gladilin, speaking with socialbites.ca, reflected on the prospect of a friendly match scenario where experimentation could take center stage. He suggested that if the encounter were an official competitive fixture, the absence of certain players might translate into a loss. Yet in the context of a friendly, he argues that emerging squad members who have already proven themselves could step forward, providing a window into the broader pool of talent and allowing observers to gauge how the team might perform without some of its trusted pillars. The sentiment underscores the value of pre-match experimentation in shaping the national team’s long-term plan and cohesion.
In the schedule for these friendlies, the Russian team faced Iran in Tehran on March 23 and planned to meet Iraq on March 26, with St. Petersburg later hosting the return fixture. These matches are part of a broader effort to test configurations and refine tactical approaches in a relatively low-stakes environment. Such fixtures often serve as a proving ground for players who are on the cusp of selection or rotation options for upcoming competitive periods, offering practical insights into how the squad adapts under different opponents and atmospheres.
Looking back to 2022, FIFA and UEFA decided to suspend Russia’s national team and all Russian clubs from international competitions under their governance, a move that reshaped the calendar for the team and its development. The pause prompted exploration of alternatives to maintain competitive rhythm and to maintain visibility in international football while the country awaited re-entry into the global scene under appropriate conditions. The context of that decision continues to influence how the national program plans friendlies and training camps, as coaches balance development with the realities of international governance and travel constraints.
During 2022, the Russian side did manage to engage in three friendlies against teams from Asia—Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—providing valuable exposure and opportunities to test tactics, integrate new players, and assess resilience in varied tactical environments. These matches contributed to maintaining match fitness and helped the coaching staff evaluate potential adjustments to formation, pressing intensity, and squad depth when facing teams with different stylistic profiles. The broader aim has been to strengthen the program’s competitive edge while navigating the evolving landscape of international football politics and sanctions that have affected the team’s activity on the world stage.
In other developments, news emerged about the passing of former Russian national team player Vladimir Granat, a reminder of the enduring human stories woven into the sport. His legacy and influence on teammates and younger players alike are often recalled when discussions turn to the national team’s culture, identity, and tradition. The ongoing conversations about friendly matches, including those against Iran, reflect a broader expectation among supporters that the national squad will continue to test itself against diverse rivals, build unity across the dressing room, and advance the team’s strategic objectives in the lead-up to future campaigns. There is an underlying sense that every fixture—whether a fixture of consequence or a routine warm-up—plays a part in shaping the team’s trajectory and the conversations about who will wear the crest in upcoming matches. Attribution: Insightful reporting on national team strategies and squad selection considerations by sports coverage outlets and analysts.