Introduction:
While there is no doubt that Igor Akinfeev is Russia’s first choice, the fight to become his back-up is more even. With guys like Yuri Lodygin, Stanislav Kritsyuk, Sergey Ryzhikov, Aleksandr Selikhov and Soslan Dzhanaev all performing well in the RFPL, many fans were unhappy with the fact that Leonid Slutsky decided to call up Lokomotiv Moscow’s Brazilian born Guilherme, who received his Russian passport last year. In March, Guilherme became the first player born outside the CIS to play for Sbornaya, and since then some people have asked questions like “don’t we have our own goalkeepers?”
While both Guilherme and Roman Neustädter have received Russian citizenship running up to the Euros, there is a difference, as Guilherme earned his citizenship by living in Russia for nine years and completing all the formal procedures, including an exam in Russian language, without help from the authorities. Guilherme went through the process for the sake of himself and his club, but not with the specific goal of playing on the Russian national team. Another explanation is given by former Russian international Sergey Ovchinnikov: “He has an aura that was visible during the friendlies in March. He is a very positive person, who clearly knows his role in the team. Why shouldn’t we invite him?”
Anyway, Guilherme seems to be on cloud nine. He has stated that he ‘feels Russian’, and has promised to study the Russian national anthem prior to the Euro.
Strengths and weaknesses:
Guilherme is known to be one of the best goalkeepers in Russia in terms of aerial ability. This is supported by statistics from InStat that show he tops the league in number of goalkeeper claims (115), and has a high percentage of successful claims (90 %). It sets him apart from Akinfeev and Lodygin, who are better shotstoppers, but who also often make mistakes coming off their lines. If it were more common to rotate between goalkeepers, Guilherme would surely play against teams who tend to make a lot of crosses. While his top level isn’t on a par with Akinfeev, he is a highly stabile goalkeeper who make few mistakes and has no obvious flaws or weaknesses.
Guilherme likes to kick the ball into play quickly, helping his team starting counter-attacks. His long passes has often been decisive for Lokomotiv, for example when he assisted Baye Oumar Niasse during a Europa League victory against Sporting in the fall.
The 2015/2016 season:
Guilherme is consistent, and it is difficult to highlight any season since 2010, when he became the first-choice goalkeeper for Lokomotiv. This season was no exception. Like any other goalkeeper, he made a few mistakes, but overall his performance was stable. Lokomotiv’s fans named him the best Lokomotiv player in February and April, which was fully deserved.
