Akinfeev shrugs off questions about Salah
Print Edition
Not everyone is all that excited about Mohamed Salah鈥檚 possible World Cup debut against Russia today.
The Egypt striker, who missed his team鈥檚 opening match with a shoulder injury, is expected to play in the game against the host nation. But Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev seemed to be unimpressed by questions about Salah.
鈥淚 will tell you about my team, as I believe we should pay more attention to the Russian team,鈥 Akinfeev said yesterday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wrong to single someone out because they have 22 other players (in the Egypt squad).鈥
Prompted again, Akinfeev was asked if he was personally looking forward to facing Salah at the St Petersburg Stadium.
With an air of resignation, the veteran 鈥榢eeper was equally dismissive.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 even know how to start responding to your question, frankly,鈥 said the 32-year-old Akinfeev, who has made 107 appearances for Russia. 鈥淚 prefer my team wins tomorrow, that鈥檚 my response.鈥
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov was more willing to talk, calling Salah 鈥渢he kind of player who lights up games and tournaments鈥. But the mustachioed coach also sounded circumspect about how ready Salah really is, saying 鈥渙nly the coach and player himself really know鈥.
Salah missed Egypt鈥檚 opening Group A game, a 0-1 loss to Uruguay, on Friday. The Liverpool striker has not played since injuring his left shoulder following a challenge from Real Madrid鈥檚 Sergio Ramos in the UEFA Champions League final on May 26.
Even though Salah scored 44 goals in 51 games for Liverpool in his first season and has 33 in 57 overall for Egypt, Cherchesov insisted he knows how to stop Salah and said a plan is in place.
鈥淥f course he stands out, but obviously we鈥檙e not up against a single player,鈥 Cherchesov said. 鈥淚 believe in my players and I will give you a simple answer to your question: We are ready to do this and we will do this.鈥
The bold promise highlights a new swagger, following the 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia last Thursday, that had been missing from the host nation鈥檚 team for much of the past year.
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