Euro 2012: Dzagoev pleads for calm from Russian fans

Alan Dzagoev, whose three goals in two games have left Russia well placed to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, yesterday appealed to his country’s fans not to misbehave during the remainder of the tournament.

Russia have the threat of a six-point deduction hanging over them in the next European Championship qualifying if their fans cause trouble of the same severity that marred the crowd disturbances in their 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Wroclaw.

“Maybe they should be more calm,” said Dzagoev on the eve of Russia’s final Group A game against Greece in the Polish capital tonight. “We don’t need to lose six points in qualifying and we don’t want anything bad for our national team.”

Russian and Polish fans also clashed before the second Group A game in Warsaw on Tuesday, prompting soccer’s European governing body Uefa to open another disciplinary case.

Prickly Russian coach Dick Advocaat berated a Dutch reporter for asking him to comment on the fighting that took place outside the National Stadium, and his mood appeared not to lift for the remainder of the news conference.

The Dutchman claimed after the 1-1 draw with the Poles that his side had played the best football at Euro 2012, but picked holes in that performance yesterday. “In the second half we did not play that great against Poland, but that had to do with losing the ball unnecessarily,” he said.

“The first half was very good. There were not too many chances for either team and in the second half Poland did a lot better. We simply have to get better.”

Dzagoev, who scored twice against the Czechs and headed Russia in front against Poland, owned up to being culpable of wasting possession.

“I don’t think that I have played two good games. Yes, I scored against Poland but I lost possession a lot as well,” said Dzagoev, who celebrates his 22nd birthday tomorrow.

Russia top Group A with four points and need just a draw against Greece to reach the last eight. Advocaat said midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov had been sick yesterday but otherwise had a “fit and healthy squad”.

The coach backed misfiring striker Alexander Kerzhakov who has missed a glut of chances. “Kerzhakov is a player who is going to take his opportunities and he can score a goal out of nothing, even though he may not play that well,” Advocaat said, “He can score goals and has done that his whole career.”

Greece must win to stand any chance of progressing, and head coach Fernando Santos said: “My faith in my team is total. It’s the same faith I had back in the autumn after our [qualifying] draw in Latvia. Back then, it was tense and we needed a victory against Croatia to have any chance of qualifying. I believed in that team, I said so, and afterwards I was vindicated. I am saying the same now.”

Greece have conceded early on in both games so far and Santos added: “It is something I find hard to understand. Our preparation has been spot-on, and the players are motivated. The only thing I can do is point out the mistakes to the players, but they are perfectly aware. I am sure that they will show more intensity in the next match and everything will go fine.

“I am considering some changes to the line-up as I am looking for quick thinking when in possession and pressure when we’re not.”