SPAIN – RUSSIA Match Preview

Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck
Tuesday 10 June 2008 – 18.00CET (18.00 local time)
Group D

Despite vast experience and having coached both Korea Republic and the Netherlands to FIFA World Cup semi-finals, Guus Hiddink believes the Group D opener between Spain and Russia is the beginning of a tantalising journey of discovery for him.

No fear

The 61-year-old Dutchman is so entranced by the potential of his young Russia team that he wants them to fly at group favourites Spain in an attempt to rock the confidence of Luis Aragonés’s elegant but stubborn side. Previewing the fascinating contest, Hiddink, who adds Australia to the list of squads he has made greater than the sum of their parts, admits he is “curious” to see whether Russia can meet his ambitious demands. “I want them to go out and play

good football, I want them to make Spain’s life very complicated,” he said. “I don’t want the frightened and timid performances of some previous tournaments.”

Immense test

His tactics present a big challenge to Russia’s defensive pairing of Roman Shirokov and Denis Kolodin. Shirokov made his debut in March, having switched from midfield, and the latter has never played European football with FC Dinamo Moskva. Now they face the power and guile of Fernando Torres and David Villa, and Hiddink accepts that: “Very few of my players have top-level tournament experience but they’ve reacted to the hard work I’ve set them. Our intention is to break the pattern so far where the favourites have always won.” With captain Andrei Arshavin suspended and Pavel Pogrebnyak ruled out of the finals by injury, striker Roman Pavlyuchenko carries much responsibility. Hiddink both praised and criticised the 26-year-old from FC Spartak Moskva, saying: “He wasn’t in great shape when he joined us but he’s made tremendous progress.”

Old rivals

Aragonés, meanwhile, looked and sounded equally ebullient as he anticipated recommencing a long-established rivalry. The two men have often done battle at club level and the Spaniard succeeded Hiddink at Valencia CF. Aragonés holds his colleague in high esteem. “Dutch coaches always demand good football but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he plans a tactic to try and shut down Xavi [Hernández] in our midfield,” the 69-year-old said. “But this Russia team is very quick on the counterattack so that’s why I’ve emphasised so strongly to my defenders that they must regroup quickly and intelligently when we lose the ball.”

World class

Aragonés also revealed that he has one or two surprises planned for his opposite number – “just in case they do manage to man-mark Xavi” – but he also stressed his faith in the FC Barcelona midfielder. “Xavi is in the top three players in the world at what he does,” argued Spain’s trainer. “He’s been phenomenal for me and I have total confidence in him. Xavi can change the tempo and the result of a game all on his own.” Aragonés already knows his starting eleven but teased journalists who tried to guess it. “Yes, Villa will take the penalties,” he said. “But only if he’s picked in the first place! It has been a long wait to start the tournament but we are totally ready and feel no fear.”

Casillas calls for Spain to step up

Iker Casillas says the Spain team must “dance to the same tune” when they take kick off their Group D campaign against Russia at the Stadion Tivoli Neu.

Past errors

Assuring the assembled media that his side would be going for the victory in their Group D opener, the Real Madrid CF goalkeeper also admitted La Furia Roja would do their best to learn from past mistakes. “Sure, if we’re trailing 3-0 at half-time and end up with a draw then it will be a good result,” he said. “But we’re going to try and win this game. We’re not saying that qualification will be assured just by winning our first game. You saw what happened in Portugal [at UEFA EURO 2004™], we won our first game [against Russia] and then we were knocked out.”

Hiddink knowledge

Russia are coached by Guus Hiddink, a man who knows the Spanish set-up all too well having had coaching spells at Real Madrid CF, Valencia CF and Real Betis Balompié. For Casillas, this represents a definite advantage to Spain’s opponents. “There’s no doubt that having a knowledge of our football is great for them,” he conceded. “We’ll always have respect for a team that is managed by Guus Hiddink, he’s done well almost everywhere he’s been. His teams are always there or thereabouts and they’re always fighting. They will be very dangerous.”

First goal pivotal

It was an assessment backed up by midfielder Xavi Hernández, who added: “They’re a physically tough team. They are very strong, direct, and will try to attack at speed. This is not going to be an easy game. We’re going to come up against a team with a similar philosophy to ours – to dominate possession and play one-touch football.” The FC Barcelona man believes the first goal could prove decisive, allowing Spain to come out of their shell – or else sending them scurrying back under it. “It’s always important to go ahead, but especially so in a tournament as important as this one,” he said. “It’s self-explanatory. For confidence and to retain our composure, we need to take the lead.”

Semak geared for rearguard action

The man charged with captaining Russia in their opening UEFA EURO 2008™ match against Spain in Innsbruck on Tuesday, Sergei Semak warns that only a determined defensive performance will give Guus Hiddink’s side the Group D start they want.

Defensive game

Hiddink has handed the 32-year-old playmaker the armband in the absence of forward Andrei Arshavin, suspended for the opening two fixtures. And the oldest member of Hiddink’s squad is well aware of the threat that Fernando Torres and Co will pose at the Stadion Tivoli Neu as Russia attempt to avoid a repeat of the 1-0 defeat they suffered against Spain in their first game four years ago in Portugal. “We will learn our tactical lineup before the match,” Semak said. “However, given that the Spanish love their technical and combination-based style with a lot of ball control, we must play a disciplined and tight defensive game, leaving them as little space as possible.”

Hard work

Semak’s form for FC Rubin Kazan earned him a recall to the Russia squad on the eve of these finals after two years out of the reckoning, and he is looking forward to seeing the fruits of their work in recent weeks displayed. “This is a new team,” he said. “Of course, the coach and the team had to get used to each other. We came through a hard preparation period, but the most important time begins on Tuesday. Then it will be clear how well the team is prepared and how it has improved.”

Happy atmosphere

Since the end of the Soviet Union, the separate Russia team have not come through the group stage of any of the four final tournaments in which they have competed. Yet Semak stressed the mood was upbeat. “The atmosphere is fantastic, there is no pressure on us from the outside. Everyone is trying to work the hardest they can in order to display our best football.” The listening Hiddink swiftly interjected: “Well said, Sergei. You’re in the lineup.” Semak continued: “Our players may be young, but they have a lot of experience, because they have played in European competitions and have been through a lot. If a man is well-prepared mentally and physically, he will be confident and will show his best football.”