Let’s turn the tables on Spain
RUSSIAN centre-half Sergei Ignashevich knows all about the power of Spain, having been part of the defence ripped apart by them in the semifinals of the European Championship in 2008.
The Spaniards won 3-0 on their way to becoming champions but Russia believe they have the key to turning the tables tomorrow afternoon at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Ignashevich, one of three surviving members of that 2008 team, said his side had studied how Iran and Morocco managed to trouble Spain defensively in the group stage.
Spain beat Iran 1-0 and drew 2-2 with Morocco, and Ignashevich said: “Their defenders try to get high up the pitch and that leads to a lot of free space and allows you to create danger on the counter-attack.
“That was one of Spain’s biggest weaknesses in the group stage. Morocco and Iran used that strategy and we will try to do it too.”
Midfielder Isco has delivered in all of Spain’s games and defender Dani Carvajal said of his team-mate: “I don’t think he needs to do anything more, he is already one of our leaders. When the game gets ugly, he is the one who takes charge and leads the way, he never hides.
“You can’t really ask him to do any more. He is having a spectacular World Cup and I hope he keeps playing this well.”
After the 2-2 draw with Morocco, Isco said: “Once again we came out looking doubtful and that can’t keep happening. We can’t keep giving away goals, we need to focus. We have to step things up a gear.”