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ADVOCAAT: WHERE BUT HERE CAN ARSHAVIN SHOW HIS CLASS?
Ahead of the last match of the Champions League group stage against
Real Madrid the head coach of Zenit Dick Advocaat gave an interview to
Sport Express.
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Dick Advocaat at the press conference in Madrid
Photo REUTERS
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"You cannot compare the game with the Royal club as
a friendly," said Advocaat. "Of course this game means nothing
from the point of view of the tournament but still when Zenit will have
another opportunity to play such a great club?"
"Even two years ago nobody in St. Petersburg dreamt of such opponents
as Real and now it became real."
"I don't think any player would treat this game as a friendly. The
whole Europe will watch the game and when but now can players (Arshavin
for example) show their class and attract attention?"
"Moreover for some players - don't ask for the names - this match
can become the last in the club and that makes it also special."
"Gorshkov and Radimov did not come to Madrid as next year they won't
play for Zenit, and I think it more logic to let those play whom I am
counting on in the future. Experience of the similar matches cannot be
superfluous."
"Both of them are professionals with whom I liked to work. But in
professional football there is no place for sentiments and that is why
I did not let them bid farewell to the team very beautifully on Santiago
Bernabeu Stadium."
"I should think about the today and tomorrow as I am responsible
for the result."
"I think all players would like to show themselves as best as possible
and the fact that this game decides nothing should only make them more
at ease. Usually people remember only the last that is why I want to end
the season positively."
"Of course I was upset that we failed to get through to the next
round in the Champions League. It was obvious that both Juventus and Real
Madrid were stronger than we but there was some hope still. But still
we did not fail every game, and probably if we were a bit luckier this
game against Real could have been more interesting. To be frank the third
place for the debut year is not that bad."
"Most of the players are dreaming about their holidays more than
about the game. And I can understand them, as the season was rather long,
but it was not bad and players and coaching staff deserved some rest."
Sport
Express Daily, 10 Dec 2008
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