Russian fans are eagerly awaiting the opening match of the home World Cup. After all, according to the tradition of FIFA, the tournament opens the host. Fortunately for many, in the first game we dropped out Saudi Arabia, which in all previous tournaments was classified as an outsider.

Here and now everyone already prefers in advance wards Stanislav Cherchesova. For example, the former footballer of Moscow "Spartak" and the Russian team Valery Kechinov did not see the threat in the Saudi. "Not such strong rivals. I watched all the games of Saudi Arabia, in my opinion, the average team, nothing special, and Russia is obliged to win at home, "he said on the air of the radio" National News Service ". Looking ahead, he also responded to Egypt, which "does not represent anything". It's time to remember our "cap-minded" mentality.

Similar speeches were heard on the eve of the World Cup 2002, Euro 2012 and World Cup 2018. Everybody remembers the results. So, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, the weakness of Russia's rival may become its strength. More restrained was the famous Portuguese coach, "Manchester United" Jose Mourinho, who at the World Cup in 2018 acts as an expert. He drew attention to another factor that can play against the Russian national team. "The Russian national team will feel enormous pressure. They hold the debut match at mundiale, the whole world is watching them, "he said RT. Nevertheless, the Portuguese is confident that our players have a very good chance of winning, because their rivals are "a team from another reality". Perhaps in the camp of our team, too, are confident that they and their rivals live in different realities, so they decided not to resort to the help of higher forces. As the press secretary of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill Alexander Volkov told, the leadership of the national team did not apply to them for blessing. "There were no special requests from the national team. Specific activities related to this game [match-opening], not provided.

Apparently, our players have more important things, "he said on the eve of the radio" Says Moscow ".

Meanwhile, the outcome of the match Russia - Saudi Arabia may become known in advance. At major football tournaments there is another tradition: some animal predicts the results of the game. In Russia they decided to entrust this matter to robot Baxter. As the "Express-newspaper" writes with reference to the press service of the "Robot Station", Baxter will give his forecast for the opening match at 16:00. Match Russia - Saudi Arabia will be held in Moscow at the stadium "Luzhniki". The broadcast starts at 18:00.