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Former head coach of Lokomotiv Astana Sergey Yuran is ready to open a new page in his coaching career. Last week he visited Sport Express office and talked to the journalists. His interview began with discussion of the Russian national team’s performances in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"Russian team didn’t deserve a loss in the home match against Germany", said Yuran. "The main reason of my concern was players’ physical form. They also lacked emotions and sporting rage".
"Everybody paid so much attention to this match and it also didn’t let players show their best. To my mind atmosphere around this match influenced players’ mindset".
"It’s good that Slovenes say that they will win playoffs against Russia, as they cannot say that would lose. The team is preparing for the matches and they are sure of themselves".
"It would be even better for me as the coach, because it’s not necessary to set players for the game unlike matches against weaker rivals".
"I wouldn’t call Russia’s attack as problematic. Coaches have wide choice of strikers. Most likely I would give my preference to Pavel Pogrebnyak rather than Roman Pavlyuchenko in the home clash. He is very ambitious player, who should prove that he should be the number one striker in the national team".
"In the return match everything will depend on the result of the first game. If we play successfully in Luzhniki, we would be able to stake on quick attacks of Kerzhakov and Sychev. I am sure that Russia will book a spot in the final stage of the World Cup".
"Getting back to the Russian domestic championship I suppose that Rubin and Spartak will be the main contenders for the gold and silver medals. Zenit is likely to finish the season on the third place".
"Spartak supporters could criticize me, but I think that Rubin is much closer to the title. Kazan players received positive charge from the Champions League".
"They have to fight in two competitions, however I think that it’s silly to think that they will lack power to win. I am sure that players know how to return to their best form after tough games".
"It’s necessary to give our due to Valeriy Karpin, who introduced talented rookies Ananidze and Yakovlev this season. It’s surprising how confidently they play now and score goals".
"As for my personal career, I am not ready to name my future team. First of all I am interested in the club’s serious targets and opportunity to form the team’s squad. It’s senseless to sit and wait for offers from Spartak or CSKA. I need to work and prove my worth".
