- Title: Russia does not have Ronaldo and we don't need one - Smolov
- Date: 20th June 2017
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JUNE 20, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SPARTAK STADIUM SIGN READING (English): 'CONFEDERATIONS CUP RUSSIA 2017' FLAGS OF RUSSIA AND PORTUGAL ON DIGITAL SCREEN WIDE OF PITCH FIFA BANNER RUSSIAN TEAM LINING UP RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS AND COACH STANISLAV CHERCHESOV ON PITCH PHOTOGRAPHERS PLAYERS WARMING UP PHOTOGRAPHER GOALKEEPER IGOR AKINFEEV WARMING UP PLAYERS ON PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS DURING TRAINING SESSION WIDE OF PITCH RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM COACH, STANISLAV CHERCHESOV, AND STRIKER, FYODOR SMOLOV, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE BALL (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM COACH, STANISLAV CHERCHESOV, SAYING (ON TICKETS BEING SOLD OUT): "It is understandable as we are playing in Moscow and both teams are interesting to a Russian supporter - we, as hosts, and the Portuguese as European champions. We have played in big stadiums with many spectators before and not once. So, I think additional interest is only useful for the players of both teams." JOURNALIST AND VOLUNTEER LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM STRIKER, FYODOR SMOLOV, SAYING: "First of all it will be a match against acting European champions, against the team with many players who have high skills plus Cristiano (Ronaldo). Of course, everyone understands that it won't be easy, but at the same time I hope and I know that a full stadium (of supporters) that will be tomorrow to watch and support us will add emotions and strength to us. And I'm sure all together with supporters we will be able to get the result we need." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM STRIKER, FYODOR SMOLOV, SAYING: "I like the technology and I think it is fair and just. And a human factor cannot influence the game this way. So it is definitely great, and it does not take much time. Therefore, in general, I would like the VAR system to be introduced everywhere, not only during the upcoming World Cup, but also in all tournaments including the national ones." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM COACH, STANISLAV CHERCHESOV, SAYING: "It takes time to get used to everything. It already exists in many other sports. And now it has reached football. Now we need to live with it. And I think in a month or two or three there will be no questions asked about it and it will be a normal state of things." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM STRIKER, FYODOR SMOLOV, SAYING: "We do not have a player like that who will be competing with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for Ballon d'Or. And I am sure we don't need one. Because it is rather hard to build a united team and create one organism when everything in the team runs around one person." NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSING
- Embargoed: 4th July 2017 16:19
- Keywords: Russia Confederations Cup Portugal Moscow Spartak Fyodor Smolov
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016M30XFJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russia's national soccer team prepared on Tuesday (June 20) to face Portugal in their Confederations Cup group stage match on Wednesday (June 21) at the Moscow Spartak stadium.
Russia tops Group A after beating New Zealand 2-0 on Saturday (June 17) in St. Petersburg as Mexico snatched a 2-2 draw with Portugal in Kazan also on Saturday.
Russian striker Fyodor Smolov said he was not expecting the game against the European champions on Wednesday (June 21) to be easy.
Smolov also said he thought the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which is being used by FIFA at the Confederations Cup this year should be widely used in future tournaments.
When asked if Russia has its own Cristiano Ronaldo, Smolov said the country's national team did not need one as it is hard to have a team where "everything runs around one person."
Russian national team coach Stanislav Cherchesov said he was not surprised all tickets for Russia-Portugal match were sold out.
"I think additional interest is only useful for the players of both teams," he said.
Mexico take on New Zealand in the other Group B match on Wednesday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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