Racing Post

Help in compilation of section introducing Russian Football Team in the pull out edition of Racing Post dedicated to EURO 2004 in Portugal. Updates on the team selection, latest news from the Russian preparation, probable line up, etc

Expert views and comments on the Russian team progress in the tournament.

Correct prediction of losses to Spain and Portugal and win against Greece with non qualification for Russian Team by Dmitry Nedaivozov.

View from the continent section.

To view online page from Racing Post website please click here

Defensive crisis to harm Yartsev
by DAN CHILDS

RUSSIA’S participation at Euro 2004 was in doubt until a second Welsh appeal to have them thrown out was finally dismissed last month, and boss Georgi Yartsev is hoping to make the most of his team’s good fortune by taking them into the knockout stages.
But bookmakers reckon that is unlikely and they are offering 9-1 about the Russians winning Group A.
Those odds are based on Russia’s reputation as a team who play poorly on the road, but there is evidence of an improvement in away performances.
During qualifying, defeats in Georgia and Albania provided more ammunition for the critics but, when faced with tough tasks against Switzerland and Ireland, the players passed the test by securing valuable draws.
And when crunch time arrived at the Millennium Stadium, Yartsev’s charges delivered a composed display which silenced the Cardiff crowd and earned a passage to the finals.
The key to victory in the play-off was a disciplined defence which managed to keep the likes of Ryan Giggs and John Hartson at bay for 180 minutes.
Crucially, Yartsev was able to select his first-choice back four in Moscow and Cardiff, a luxury which he has been denied this summer after injuries to central defenders Viktor Onopko and Sergei Ignashevich.
That could mean a baptism of fire for centre-backs Alexander Anyukov and Alexei Bugayev, both of whom were hurriedly given their international debuts in the recent 0-0 draw with Austria in Graz.
Of the full-backs, Vadim Yevseyev is the more adventurous player while Dmitri Sennikov is defensively solid.
If any of the four lose concentration a verbal volley can be expected from Lokomotiv Moscow keeper Sergei Ovchinnikov.
Nicknamed ‘The Boss’, Ovchinnikov is not short of a word or two and is considered a crucial figure by the manager.
However, the Russian cat has been carrying an injury and played just 45 minutes of the nation’s warm-up matches against Norway and Austria.
That must be a concern because, of the back-up keepers, Igor Akinfeev is lacking match practice while Vyacheslav Malafeev has resumed training only recently after sustaining a fractured wrist.
The midfield is anchored by Alexei Smertin, while Alexander Mostovoi and Dmitri Loskov compete for the playmaker’s role. Mostovoi has been a class act at Celta Vigo for seven seasons, but at 35 his best days are behind him.
However, he remains an integral part of Russia’s midfield and opponents will be aware of his ability to produce a killer pass. Marat Izmailov is a likely partner in the centre and he also possesses plenty of ability on the ball.
Wide berths could be occupied by Rolen Gusev and Dmitri Alenitchev, and they will need to be at their bestto provide a decent service for probable strike pairing Dmitri Sychev and Dmitri Bulykin.
Bulykin is the in-form man, but his partnership with Sychev has not been given much time to flourish.
The pair looked ill-at-ease during Russia’s toothless first-leg effort against Wales and, unless their understanding improves, an SOS could be sent for dynamic youngster Alexander Kerzhakov.
The Zenit St Petersburg forward has been getting rave reviews for his goalscoring exploits.
Unfortunately for Kerzhakov, he may fall victim to a historic Russian policy of selecting players from the biggest club sides, and his best hope of involvement could rest on an appearance in the final game against Greece, when Yartsev may opt to field a third striker.

View from the continent
by DMITRY NEDAIVOZOV - The Russian London Newspaper

Russia have improved since Georgi Yartsev took over, but our chances of reaching the knockout stages are slim.
Yartzev is popular athome after rescuing the qualifying campaign, and his job looks secure whatever happens.
Defensively the team has been weakened by the withdrawals of Onopko and Ignashevich but Sergei Ovchinnikov, is a strong personality in goal.
His organisational skills will be vital in helping the team’s inexperienced centre-backs.
Yartzev’s decision to stick with foreign-based players Alexei Smertin, Alexander Mostovoi and Dmitri Alenitchev has paid dividends in midfield, but up front Dmitri Sychev and Dmitri Bulykin have not gelled as a pair.