Andrei Kanchelskis has warned Russia will pose a "dangerous"
attacking threat when they face England in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying
match on Wednesday.
England go into the pivotal clash at Wembley on the back of Saturday's
encouraging 3-0 win over Israel but the former Manchester United winger
believes that Russia will offer a sterner test.
Russia have proven resilient opposition in Group E, conceding only one
goal - an 84th-minute strike from Israel's Amit Ben Shushan in October's
1-1 draw - and Kanchelskis credits their new manager for the current international
renaissance.
"Since Guus Hiddink has taken charge there has been a great development
in the Russian team," said Kanchelskis.
"They play more attractive football than under the previous regime
and they have greater strength in depth."
In addition to a resolute defence, Russia have notched 14 goals in their
eight qualifying games to date and Kanchelskis, who himself scored four
goals in 36 international appearances, believes they have a goalscoring
talisman in Sevilla's Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
"Russia now have a dangerous attacking side to their game and Aleksandr
Kerzhakov is very dangerous," he said.
"He has learnt a lot playing at the highest level in Spain and has
the predatory instinct a striker needs to score goals."
Kerzhakov scored five goals in 15 La Liga appearances for the Andalucian
outfit last term and scored in the 4-3 aggregate UEFA Cup victory over
Tottenham en route to lifting the trophy.
The 25-year-old striker has also scored five goals, including a hat-trick
against Andorra, to help Russia rise to second place in Group E having
secured 18 points - one more than England.
But with Slaven Bilic's Croatia two points clear at the summit, Kanchelskis
knows that England will be treating Wednesday's encounter as a must-win
game.
"England had a great win against Israel and from a psychological
perspective it will have given them a great boost because of the pressure
beforehand and they will be going for it for sure." he said.
Kanchelskis, 38, who is currently the sporting director of Russian First
Division club FC Nosta Novotroitsk, is well aware of the media pressures
in England having played for both Manchester United and Everton but feels
judgement should be reserved on England coach Steve McLaren until after
the qualifying campaign.
"The pressure to perform in England is very big. People will say
all sorts of bad things when they don't get the results but as soon as
the results come it is different," said Kanchelskis.
"People should wait and see what happens. McLaren needs time. He
has a great squad of players and if he qualifies there should be no problem.
Let's just wait and see.
"For me, I have so many good memories of England - playing for Manchester
United and Everton - and although my heart is with Russia, I would like
to see both teams qualify."
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10 Sep 2007
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