Russians plan for repeat win

STANISLAV CHERCHESOV already has one stunning upset over Fernando Hierro on his CV. He was in goal for Spartak Moscow in 1991 when they knocked Hierro and Real Madrid out of the European Cup. Now Hierro is Spain coach and Cherchesov wants a repeat. ‘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.’ Having already performed above all expectations, Cherchesov hopes the pressure gets to the favourites. ‘It is clear that this is a play-off, this is a lifeor-death match, absolutely that’s true,’ he said. ‘There will be only one team going through.’