- Title: SOCCER-EURO/RUSSIA SWEDEN REAX Winning start for Slutskiy as Russia sink Sweden
- Date: 6th September 2015
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 5, 2015) (REUTERS) RUSSIA SOCCER TEAM COACH LEONID SLUTSKIY ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE AND BEING SEATED AMID APPLAUSE VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA COACH, LEONID SLUTSKIY, SAYING: "Certainly I am very happy that we achieved a victory in the first match. I think, in the first 65 minutes of the game we truly played with quality and created a lot opportunities, essentially we didn't allow Sweden to (use) these moments against us in the end. Probably responsibility, fatigue, lack of teamwork played its own role. And plus, Sweden already played with the concept of three forwards and so it was necessary to be more on the defensive. Therefore, I am very happy that we were able to defend the integrity of our side." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA COACH, LEONID SLUTSKIY, SAYING: "It is obvious that the match was very exciting and stressful and so on, but I can say that it was very similar to when I played the first match in Manchester, when I was coaching CSKA. The match flew by like one second and today the first half also flew by, I looked at the scoreboard and the 44 minutes had gone by. I did not even understand when the referee walked by with the tablet, because I felt like we were close to the middle of the first half yet. So, because of this perhaps, enthusiasm in the game was so deep, that it even overcame any hyper anxiety which is certainly present." WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTER TYPING SLUTSKIY STANDING UP AT END OF NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA SWEDEN COACH, ERIK HAMREN, ARRIVING AND BEING SEATED AT PODIUM MEDIA HAMREN SITTING AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN COACH, ERIK HAMREN, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "If we were to look at the specifics then of course we could have had a better defence, and there are some specifics in regards to shortcomings in how we worked with (Artem) Dzyuba, but overall I am pleased with our defence tactics, but our attack leaves one wishing for better." MEDIA MEDIA / HAMREN SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN COACH, ERIK HAMREN, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Of course, it is a great pity that we are leaving today without any points and we could have played better." MEDIA HAMREN LEAVING AT END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 21st September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA4XK8N4Y7TO9MCWX01ILLG3T5K
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Leonid Slutskiy, who took over from Fabio Capello last month, made the perfect start as Russia coach when his side got their Euro 2016 qualifying hopes back on track with a 1-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday (September 5).
Russia dominated possession but found it hard to create chances until they went in front in the 38th minute.
Following a good exchange down the right between Igor Smolnikov and Roman Shirokov, Zenit St. Petersburg forward Artem Dzyuba was left with the easiest of tasks to slot the only goal past keeper Andreas Isaksson.
Russia now have 11 points from seven matches in Group G, one behind second-placed Sweden. Austria lead the way with 19 points after defeating rock bottom Moldova 1-0.
Speaking at a news conference after the match, the Russian coach said he was pleased his team had clinched victory in the first match with him at the helm.
"I am very happy that we achieved a victory in the first match. I think, in the first 65 minutes of the game we truly played with quality and created a lot opportunities, essentially we didn't allow Sweden to (use) these moments against us in the end," said Slutskiy.
Visiting coach Erik Hamren sprang a surprise at the start of the second half by taking off talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was largely devoid of service during the first period.
Ibrahimovic's replacement Ola Toivonen was certainly more lively than his illustrious team mate and helped create Sweden's best chance of the game but Emil Forsberg could only hit his shot into the side-netting.
Sweden pressed in search of an equaliser but another Forsberg effort was excellently cut out by the impressive Smolnikov as a tiring Russia managed to hold on for the three points.
"If we were to look at the specifics then of course we could have had a better defence, and there are some specifics in regards to shortcomings in how we worked with (Artem) Dzyuba, but overall I am pleased with our defence tactics, but our attack leaves one wishing for better," said Hamren at the post match briefing.
"Of course, it is a great pity that we are leaving today without any points and we could have played better," Hamren added. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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