20 June 2004 14:59
Football: Euro 2004: Yartsev: Let`s give fans a lift
ByLine: BILL MILLS
RUSSIA coach Georgi Yartsev will send his side out in their final game under orders to provide their travelling fans
with something to shout about.
The Russians will head for home whatever happens at the Estadio Algarve tonight after slipping to defeat against
Spain and Portugal.
It has not been a great tournament for Yartsev's side, who had defender Roman Sharonov dismissed against the
Spaniards before goalkeeper Sergey Ovchinnikov suffered the same fate at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday.
In between, midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoi was sent home for criticising training methods.
However, Yartsev's players have produced some nice football and he believes they can sign off on a positive
note.
He said: "We have a number of supporters who have come from Russia and, to satisfy them, we have to go out on to
the pitch and fight."
The Russians have been followed around Portugal by a sizeable support, although the fans have yet to see a single
goal from their side, let alone a point.
They have created some chances but their finishing has, at times, let them down, and that fact has not been lost on
the coach.
He added: "There's only one way to score goals, and that is to take the chances when they come
along."
The solution to that drought could come in the shape of midfielder Dmitri Loskov, the man drafted into the side in
place of Mostovoi.
He is a dead-ball specialist despite having one leg longer than the other and, although he has to wear special boots
to counter the problem, it does not appear to affect him.
He said: "It does not matter which one I use. I have always been two-footed since I was a child."
Russia go into the game with a weakened squad because of suspensions to Ovchinnikov and skipper Alexei Smertin.
His place could be taken by Sharonov while Viacheslav Malafeev will continue to deputise in goal for Ovchinnikov.
[The Sunday Mirror] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
