Russia coach Cherchesov warns Salah: Football's a contact sport. Ramos did nothing wrong

Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2018 by Tribalfootball.com

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov has fired a veiled warning at Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah ahead of their World Cup clash with Egypt.

Salah is set to return from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final for his nation's must-win game against the tournament hosts in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

And after launching a staunch defence of Real Madrid hard-man Sergio Ramos for the role he played in crocking Salah last month, Cherchesov promised that Russia have also come up with a way to halt Egypt's talisman.

Asked whether that will include dishing out the kind of brutality that reduced Salah to tears in Kiev, Cherchesov said: “Is someone going to behave how Ramos behaved?

"I don't understand the question. What has Ramos got to do with it?

"I don't think Ramos did it on purpose. Football is a contact sport.

"As I understand it, nobody injures players from other teams on purpose.

"The last time I saw Ramos he was holding the Champions League cup. Tomorrow there will be no cup.

"Teams must run fast, play fast and use whatever tactics to counter whatever team they are playing – and my team is no exception.

"Let me make it simple. I believe in my team, I believe in my players and we are ready to do this – and we will do this.

"We have our own mission – and we will achieve that mission."