Dzagoev, Shirokov on how Slutski revived Russia
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
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Russia's qualifying hopes were foundering when Leonid Slutski took temporary charge in August but four games and four wins later they are through. What happened?
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Leonid Slutski has transformed Russia's fortunes in little over a month.
When the CSKA Moskva coach led the national side into last month's qualifiers, Russia's participation at UEFA EURO 2016 was anything but a certainty. Four points adrift of Sweden in second, they had it all to do. Fast-forward five weeks, and with four successive wins under the belt, France here they come. They have scored 12 goals, conceding just one in the process.
Attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev knows more than a thing or two about playing under Slutski, his coach for club and now country. He has nothing but praise for the 44-year-old, who took the reins on 7 August. "He did not have a lot of time, but in that short period he managed to get a lot done and this is reflected in the results. He showed what a good coach he is," Dzagoev said.
Russia had not had a Russian-speaking head coach since March 2006, when Aleksandr Borodyuk took temporary charge of a friendly with Brazil. Captain Roman Shirokov, who earned his 50th cap in Monday's 2-0 qualification-clinching victory over Montenegro, reckons the lack of a language barrier helps relax the players. The Spartak Moskva midfielder says Slutski won over the dressing room.
"The most important thing is that the atmosphere changed," Shirokov explained. "He made some changes in the way we play and he added certain things. We have started to attack more, but we are also more balanced. We have a more positive outlook, which is just what we needed."
Artem Dzyuba has certainly thrived. The Zenit forward managed two goals in his first four Group G outings, then added six in his next four under Slutski – his total of eight is the most a Russian has scored in qualifying for a major tournament. "Leonid makes the most of his players' best qualities and does not ask them to do things they cannot do," said Dzagoev.
Appointed for the remainder of Russia's qualification attempt, Slutski has not signed a contract to continue in the post vacated by Fabio Capello in July, but he can expect a phone call pretty soon to check his availability for next summer.