CHERCHESOV GIVES RUSSIA REASONS TO DREAM BIG

STANISLAV CHERCHESOV already has one stunning upset over Spain coach Fernando Hierro on his CV. Now the Russian manager wants to do it all over again and become a ‘god’ in the process.

The host nation have surprised many with their success on home soil, having come into the tournament as its lowest-ranked team. Cherchesov, however, is a man who knows plenty about upsetting the odds.

He was in goal for Spartak Moscow in 1991 when they stunned Real Madrid in the European Cup, storming the Santiago Bernabeu for a 3-1 victory and knocking the giants out. Hierro was at the heart of the Madrid defence that day and as they reconvene 27 years on at the Luzhniki Stadium today, Cherchesov is taking inspiration from the feat.

‘At that time, Spanish teams were favourites but, to use a Russian expression, “Anyone can be God if he tries to”,’ he said. ‘Fernando Hierro was a good player and now he’s a good coach. We won against the Spanish team and hopefully on Sunday we can repeat that success and prove our worth.’

After inspiring his side to back-to-back victories over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Cherchesov has quickly become something of a national hero. But he knows it won’t be easy, and the 2010 champions would appear to vastly outmatch the hosts.

‘It is clear that this is a play-off, this is a life-ordeath match, absolutely that’s true,’ said Cherchesov.

‘There will be only one team going through. I don’t think there’s pressure; I believe there is a responsibility. Spain feels this responsibility, Russia feels this responsibility.’