Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov says the World Cup hosts have figured out a way to rein in Egypt’s striker Mohamed Salah today in Saint Petersburg.
The 26-year-old has scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool and is keen to make his debut after missing the Pharaohs’ 1-0 opening game loss to Uruguay with a shoulder injury.
Salah’s name has been creeping into conversations often since Russia’s 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia in the tournament curtainraiser.
But Cherchesov said he was not particularly concerned.
“We know how to play against him,” the Russia coach said. “We are ready to stop Salah and we will.
“The level he will be playing at only he and his coach knows but we have a mission and we will accomplish the mission,” Cherchesov said. 
“I trust in my team, I believe in my players and I will give you a simple answer: we are ready to do this and we will do this.” 
The bold promise highlights a new swagger that had been missing from the host nation’s team for much of the past year.
Russia’s convincing win over the Saudis was preceded by a seven-match winless streak and a spate of injuries that wiped out almost the entire defensive line.
But the men in red are now on the cusp of making their first knockout stage of a World Cup in post-Soviet history.