The former FC Tirol goalkeeper knows about the qualities of the Austrians. Before the Alex Reed appearance on Thursday (8.45 p.m./live ORF 1) in Linz, he also praised the development that the ÖFB selection has made under Ralf Rangnick. “They played a good European Championship and developed one or two players. That was huge,” said Chertchesov in an interview with the APA. He has known Rangnick personally for many years. “We know what he can do. He was at a lot of stations and you could see his handwriting everywhere.”
At the European Championships in Germany, Chertchesov watched the ÖFB games against Poland (3:1) and the Netherlands (3:2) in Berlin live in the stadium. Since then, however, the Rangnick selection has not won three games in a row. Chertchesov: “It’s a new start, the European Championships are over.”
The Kazakh association also made a fresh start – and after four defeats in a row, appointed the former Russian national coach as team boss. In Cherchesov’s debut in September, the outsider kept Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland at bay for 90 minutes. “The team was compact and we implemented our tactics,” praised the 61-year-old. But it might look different against Austria.
In Slovenia, number 109 in the FIFA world rankings recently lost 0-3. Chertchesov did not want to quantify how high his hopes were for winning a point in Linz. “I’m very bad at math, so I can’t say I have any chances. But we’re preparing.” Kazakhstan’s strongest offensive man is playmaker Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov from Besiktas Istanbul, captain Askhat Tagybergen earns his money at home with Ordabasy Shymkent.
Chertschessov gathered his team in Krems, but five legionnaires arrived late on Monday. “There’s not much time, but that’s the case with all national coaches. You have to accept that,” said the experienced coach. The Ossetian was the Russian team boss around the 2018 home European Championships (2016-2021). He then looked after Ferencvaros Budapest for two more years.
In Tyrol, “Stani” has achieved cult status as a goalkeeper, becoming champion three times in six years (1996-2002). The ex-goalie then worked as head coach at FC Wacker for two years (2004-2006). Cherchessov lives with his family in Russia, but according to his own information he also travels a lot in Kazakhstan and in Europe to watch players. “It’s the same as with any national coach: you can’t sit in one regular place, you have to travel a lot.”
This also applies to the Kazakh footballers, who regularly have to take flights lasting six or more hours before away international matches. “It’s not fun, but that’s part of it. We can’t change the geography. We live in Kazakhstan and play in Europe,” said the team boss pragmatically. He doesn’t want to use the hardships as an excuse. “You always have to be ready.”
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