The Russian youth national football team faces a challenging situation as they prepare for their upcoming friendly matches in Colombia. This week, four players have been ruled out due to injuries, forcing the team to adjust its lineup ahead of the scheduled matches on March 22 and March 23, 2025.
Defender Ilya Rozhkov from Rubin, midfielders Dmitry Kuchugura from Ural and Kirill Glebov from CSKA, along with forward Aleksandr Koksharov from Pari NN, will not participate in the matches due to injuries sustained during their respective time at club training sessions. They have been released from the national squad to recover and regain fitness at their clubs.
The Russian Football Union (РФС) confirmed the withdrawals, stating, "All the football players received injuries while at their clubs." This unfortunate turn of events comes as the team gears up to compete against the Colombian youth team, seeking to build experience and cohesion amidst ongoing limitations on their international participation.
A total of 21 players traveled to Colombia for this significant event. The roster includes goalkeepers Daniil Veselov from Lokomotiv Moscow, Aleksandr Degtev from Sochi, and Bogdan Moskvichev from Orenburg. The defensive line features Dzhamalutdin Abdulkhadyrov from CSKA Moscow, Stanislav Bessmertny from Ural Ekaterinburg, Ilya Kirsh from Dinamo Makhachkala, Nikita Lobov from Zenit St. Petersburg, Egor Pogostnov from Lokomotiv Moscow, Mikhail Ryadno from Rodina Moscow, and Vadim Churilov from Torpedo Moscow.
In midfield, the team consists of Igor Dmitriev from Krylia Sovetov Samara, alongside Danila Godyaev, Vadim Rakov, and Nikita Saltykov, all from Lokomotiv Moscow, along with Daniil Zorin from Akhmat Grozny, Egor Smelov from Dinamo Moscow, Danila Kozlov from Krasnodar, and Ruslan Chobanov from Veles Moscow. The forward positions also include Kirill Nikishin from Baltika Kaliningrad and Aleksandr Chupaev from Torpedo.
These matches against Colombia hold significant importance for the Russian youth side, especially as national teams are currently dinged from participating in official international competitions. Since March 2022, due to the geopolitical situation surrounding Ukraine, the Russian teams have been limited to friendly matches only. This situation poses unique challenges for player development and exposure on a broader international stage.
Today, March 19, 2025, the Russian youth team is set to play a friendly match against Granada in Moscow at 20:00 Moscow time. Prior to this weekend, they enjoyed considerable success on the field, showcasing their strength in recent matches, having secured a resounding 11-0 victory against Brunei and a 4-0 win over Syria. This streak reflects both the potential and the pressure placed upon these young athletes as they strive to represent their nation despite turbulent external circumstances.
As the youth team prepares for their trip to Colombia, they will undoubtedly seek to capitalize on the opportunities presented by these friendly matches, aiming not only to enhance their skills but also to foster team synergy that might bolster their chances in future competitions when they regain eligibility for international play.
The upcoming games promise to be a critical test of resilience and adaptability for this young squad, highlighting not just their individual talents but also the necessity of teamwork in overcoming adversities that come with being a part of a national team in these trying times. Football remains a unifying force, and the anticipation builds as fans look forward to supporting this young generation of players in their international endeavors.
