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SEMAK: WE FORGET ABOUT CLUB PROBLEMS
Russian national team players continue their
preparations for the 2010 World Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein,
which will take place on September 5.
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Russian team during the training session
Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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The Russian players began preparations for the coming qualifier
not at their best psychological form following their clubs' failures in
the Russian championship and Europa League.
CSKA delegated five players to the national side after their crushing
loss in Rostov. Zenit has six internationals in Russia's squad who haven't
recovered from their failure in Europa League encounter with Nacional
while their newcomer Vladimir Bystrov had little time to get used to chances
in his career. Alexandr Kerzhakov and Vladimir Gabulov from Dynamo are
not at their best state following their club's unsuccessful performances
in the Champions League and Europe League.
Denis Kolodin misses these games through an injury, while Andrey Arshavin
and Yuriy Zhirkov are injured. Roman Pavlyuchenko has little playing practice,
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov played only three minutes for his new club, Rebko
and Bukharov are capped by Guus Hiddink for the first time.
Sport Express decided to understand how clubs' matters influence life
of the national team.
"It's difficult to deny that players joined the national side being
at poor psychological state", said Sergey Semak. "All players
have different mindset however the team has one target. And every time
when players come to the national side they think first of all about this
goal".
"We are professionals and we can concentrate on our main problem
for the current moment. We will recall our clubs' problems when we return
to them".
"I agree that you keep in mind club matter in the first couple of
days in the national team, but as you prepare for the coming match these
thoughts come to the background. Usually this process happens naturally
because everybody thinks how to be well-prepared for the game".
"Actually there was no catastrophe in our clubs. CSKA lost three
points however it was not the first time when they lost to Rostov. Zenit
was just unlucky in their encounter with Nacional".
"Withdrawal of Russian clubs from Europa League is a mere coincidence
and I don't see any tendency in it".
"I think that our championship is very interesting and level of rivalry
is very high now. Earlier the match was considered to finish when the
score was 2-0. Now when one team takes 2-0 lead it is just a beginning
of real fight and result could be changed".
Sport
Express Daily, 03 Sep 2009
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