Stanislav Cherchesov took charge of Russia immediately after a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign in which the team – led by Leonid Slutsky – finished last in their group. Shortly after his appointment Cherchesov announced his intention to build a side from scratch. Firstly he switched formation to a back three and began looking for the right combination of defenders. It was a case of shedding the past while moving with the times. “We have not achieved anything with four at the back,” he said when explaining his decision. “Moreover, almost half of Russian Premier League teams are playing with three defenders. So we want to be flexible.”
Guardian: Russia World Cup 2018 team guide – tactics, key players and expert predictions
Multi sensor security 'Panomera' cameras for video surveillance are pictured at the Samara Arena, also known as Kosmos Arena, in Samara, Russia, on May 6, 2018, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The nearly 45,000-seater stadium will host six World Cup matches.
