Saturday’s match is a huge one for Russia, who have never reached the semifinals of the World Cup, although the Soviet Union got there in 1966.
The hosts are underdogs against a Croatia side that beat Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland in the group stages before overcoming Denmark on penalties in the round of 16.
They are hoping to have Alan Dzagoev available for the first time since the Saudi Arabia match.
The midfielder injured his hamstring in the 5-0 win but Cherchesov said Dzagoev would train with the rest of the squad on Friday.
“It was a shame to lose such a player in the first game,” he said. “He missed a training session the day before yesterday and today he is training. We’ll see if I can allow him to play from the first minute. I am preparing him, that is all I can tell you.”
