There are no nerves in the Russia team ahead of their crucial Euro 2012 clash with Greece, midfielder Alan Dzagoev said Friday.
If Russia beat Greece on Saturday, they are assured of a place in the quarterfinals as group winners, while Greece must win to have any hope of progressing.
“On the subject of nerves, I can say that they’re absent from the team,” Dzagoev.
“Tomorrow we have to go out and beat the Greek national side and everyone in the team is confident that we can do it.”
One possible problem for Russia could be the state of the pitch in Warsaw where the game will be played, Dzagoev said.
He echoed earlier criticism from Russia defender Kirill Nababkin of the surface at the National Stadium, which both players believe gives way under foot.
“Grass flies up from under your feet and that creates a real feeling of discomfort," Dzagoev said.
Another ground to have come in for criticism over the state of the pitch at Euro 2012 is the PGE Arena in Gdansk, labeled “lamentable” by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after his team’s 1-1 draw with Italy on Sunday.
CSKA Moscow midfielder Dzagoev has 22 caps for Russia and has scored seven goals for his country, three of them at Euro 2012.
