The press called Sergei Salnikov one of the most technical football players in the USSR. He was distinguished by the ability to create and implement episodes that often led to victory. Salnikov happened to play in several clubs. After completing his career, he was a coach for a long time. Then he commented a lot and skillfully on the matches on television.
From the sports biography of Sergei Sergeevich Salnikov
The future Soviet footballer was born in Krasnodar on September 13, 1925. Salnikov started playing football in the youth squad of "Spartak" in Moscow in 1941. He was included in the main team of the club in 1942. In 1943, Sergei began training with Zenit Leningrad players. The team conducted training and friendly matches while in evacuation.
In 1944, together with Zenit, Salnikov won the USSR Cup. In the battle with Spartak, Sergey became a co-author of the goal that brought the team a victory.
After the war
The first post-war season Salnikov also played for the Leningrad team and was recognized as the team's best striker - he had eight goals on his account.
In 1946 Salnikov moved to Spartak again and played there until 1949. Then he became a player of the Moscow Dynamo. Spartacus considered it a betrayal. However, the true reason for the transition to another team soon became clear: Sergei's stepfather was arrested. Salnikov considered that his transfer to Dynamo could ease the fate of his stepfather. When he was released, Sergei returned to the ranks of "Spartak".
Sergey Sergeevich Salnikov is the 1956 Olympic champion.
Salnikov completed his sports career in 1960, after which he switched to coaching. He headed the Shakhtar club, then he was the coach of Trud. In 1967 he coached Spartak. In 1975, Salnikov worked with the USSR youth team. Subsequently, he worked as a TV commentator at the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting, and appeared in print with analytical reviews.
Episode Master
Sergei Salnikov was rightfully considered one of the most technical players in Soviet football. He was a master of "episode tactics". The player realized early on that success in a collective operation to storm other people's gates brings a short, clean and cleverly played episode. He was good at creating and completing such operations.
Salnikov hated dogmatism and adherence to canons. He always strived for creativity in his business. A great hard worker, Sergei appreciated the subtle game in which rare and unusual game situations arise. The spectators who watched Sergei during the game might have the impression that everything comes easy for him.
Knowledge of the peculiarities of football technique helped Salnikov in his commentary work. He captured and voiced unique moments that would otherwise have escaped the attention of fans. Salnikov understood better than many that a football "techie" by itself is worthless on the field without the participation of other team members.
In his commentary assessments, Salnikov showed restraint when it came to the qualities of this or that player. He preferred to talk to the players face-to-face about the shortcomings and mistakes he noticed in the game, so as not to lose their authority in the eyes of the fans.
On May 9, 1984, after the game of Spartak veterans with young footballers, Salnikov felt bad. Resuscitation did not help, the famous striker died of a heart attack.
