Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov is confident that his side will stop Mohamed Salah when the World Cup hosts take on Egypt in St Petersburg on Tuesday 19th June 2018.
The Salah issue dominated Cherchesov's pre-match media briefing at Krestovsky Stadium, with the Liverpool star having been declared fit to return from the shoulder injury he sustained during last month's 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Salah had been declared fit to play against Uruguay in their opening 1-0 loss but coach Hecor Cuper decided not to risk him.
Salah tore Premier League and Champions League defences apart during a stunning debut season at Anfield that yielded 44 goals, but Stanislav is confident he has the remedy as his team look to build upon an emphatic 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
"What can I say? I trust in my team," he said. "I believe in my players and I will give you a simple answer. We are ready to do this and we will do this,"
Cherchesov dismissed the notion that roughhouse tactics would come into play and defended Madrid captain Sergio Ramos against an accusation that he purposely caused Salah's injury.
"Is someone going to behave as Ramos behaved? I don't understand the question," he replied.
I saw that he was holding the cup of the Champions League and tomorrow there will be no cup. I believe that Ramos did not do this on purpose.
This is a contact sport and, as I understand, no one injures people from other teams on purpose."
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