Head coach of Russia, Stanislav Cherchesov, has defended his team after they allowed Cristiano Ronaldo score the winner, in Wednesday’s 1-0 Confederations Cup defeat to Portugal.
Ronaldo was left unmarked at the back post, where he rose to head Raphael Guerreiro’s cross past Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev in the 8th minute.
The loss leaves the hosts’ chances of qualifying for the semi-finals in peril.
“We lost him but it’s not just us, look at how many Ballons d’Or he has!” Cherchesov said afterwards.
“We let them cross it into the box and then finish it.
“We were certainly not nervous,” he said.
“The game did not go according to our wishes but we changed things during the break. We kept losing the ball in the first half and did not launch any attacks.
“In the second half we changed things round a bit and we had several good chances but unfortunately they did not produce any goals.”
Russia are third in Group A with three points, one behind co-leaders Portugal and Mexico. They must beat the North Americans to stand a chance of qualifying.
“I don’t think there’s anything better than to rely on yourself,” Cherchesov said.
“We have a clear understanding of what needs to be done. The next game is only three days away and we need to know who is ready.
“Sometimes little ailments come out after the second or third match but I don’t think we have any injuries.”
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