Russians have point to prove

Russia coach Georgi Yartsev admits that: "Any positive result will be satisfactory" ahead of the meeting with Spain at the Estádio Algarve tomorrow evening.

Spoiling the party
Russia, who have not played Spain since the country's inception in 1991, celebrating their Independence Day tomorrow and Yartsev promised that his players will do everything they can to avoid spoiling the party atmosphere back home. But he added that he would be happy if Russia simply avoided defeat and also warned that the Algave heat might inhibit his side. "The climate favours the Spaniards over us. At some stage the weather will tell on my team," he said.

Midfield experience
After open training today, at which all 23 players took part, Yartsev said that he had decided on his starting eleven for the game, but refused to elaborate and would not confirm if the highly rated Aleksandr Mostovoi would start the game. "Mostovoi isn't our only playmaker," the former SC Rotor Volgograd coach said. "All I can tell you is that I've picked a set of experienced midfield players who will not be afraid of the Spanish team."

Defensive troubles
However, he did admit that with defenders Viktor Onopko, Sergei Ignashevitch and Andrei Solomatin all ruled out, he would be forced to draft at least one inexperienced player into the back line. Roman Sharonov, Aleksandr Anyukov and Aleksei Bugayev, who have just four caps between them, are all vying for a spot, though Yartsev is keen to play down their lack of international football. "These lads have played many important matches, he insisted. "Calling them debutants is a joke."

New look back-line
But he admitted: "Only the game will show whether we were able to solve the defensive problems we've had. At the moment nobody, including me, has any idea how the new look back line will perform. I can only hope I've done enough to help them to show their best."