Russia, Germany in Old Trafford of Euro 96
By Vic Mills
LONDON (JP): The media-designated "Group of Death" in Euro 96 -- Group C -- returns to prominence tonight with the meeting of Russia and Germany at Old Trafford.
For the talented Russians, it is make-or-break time. Defeat by Italy at Anfield has left them needing a victory to retain any interest in the tournament. A tall order, given the impressive win by Germany in its championship opener against the Czech Republic.
Russia is pinning its hopes on the return of Yuri Nikiforov -- its outstanding Spartak Moscow central defender who was suspended for the first game -- to restore the side's balance.
A lot will depend on Nikiforov, who won the admiration of Blackburn Rovers in the Champions Cup. He is expected to move west after the tournament. Blackburn, Newcastle and Everton are all said to be in the hunt, as well as some leading Spanish and Italian sides.
That should be incentive enough, although his move would be a blow to Spartak and Oleg Romantsev. For as well as being Russia's coach, Romantsev is the manager of Spartak.
Although Germany represents formidable opposition, Russia possesses enough talent to upset the tournament favorites.
Indeed, against Italy on Tuesday, it had by far and away the majority of talent. The Russians looked accomplished, displaying fine technique. But when it came to know-how -- to cutting edge -- it was very much second best to the inspired Casiraghi.
Russia will be looking to captain and center-back Victorio Onopko to push forward in an attempt to unsettle an efficient- looking German defense. One such sortie led to Ilia Tysmbalar's equalizer against Italy.
As for the return of the prodigal son, Old Trafford will hold no fears for former Manchester United favorite Andrei Kanchelskis. Checked with surprising ease by Paolo Maldini on Tuesday, Kanchelskis is another player in need of a big game if Russia's interest in the tournament is to continue.
His encounter with German left-back Christian Ziege promises to be the key confrontation of many that will unfold during a fascinating afternoon of soccer.
One of the few Russians to trouble the well-drilled Italian defense was second-half substitute Sergui Kiriakov. His speed and trickery should reap the reward of a place on the starting line- up.
The Russian desires for victory, however, will leave it exposed to the counterattack. There are few finer exponents of this in the world game than Germany.
The instigators of such tactics against the Czechs were sweeper Matthais Sammer and left-back Ziege. The ease and unhurried reorganization that took place while they were out of position and the retention of the team's line-up confirm this current line-up as the equal in discipline and awareness of any that Germany has produced in recent years.
It is not, perhaps, as dazzlingly inventive as the Dutch at its best. But for all-round efficiency, this superbly athletic and powerful team is hard to fault.
The side will be strengthened, also, by the return from suspension of star striker Jurgen Klinsmann. With over 30 goals for the national team, the Bayern forward is at his peak.
In his absence, Fredi Bobic did enough to suggest that, when the time comes, Germany will have a natural successor.
Bobic's strong running and easy control provided the fulcrum for some telling thrusts against the Czechs. Behind him, Andreas Moller and Thomas Hassler had outstanding games. But the star was Ziege, an attacking left-back in the German tradition of Brietner and Brehme.
The downside of the victory was the loss after just 14 minutes of captain and defensive cornerstone Jurgen Kohler, with severely damaged knee ligaments.
This apart, the team's performance was impressive enough for leading London bookmakers Ladbrokes to cut Germany's odds for the championships from 7-2 to 11-4.
The one cloud on its otherwise clear horizon was the total of six yellow cards collected in its win over the Czechs.
Germany suffered, as did most sides, in the blur of red and yellow cautions handed out in the earlier games. Thankfully, common sense has now prevailed, with referees displaying far greater discretion in their use.
The change of heart came too late to save the likes of Reuter, Hassler, Moller, Kuntz, Babbel and Ziege; all will receive an automatic one-match suspension if booked against Russia, thereby missing the final match against Italy.
It promises to be game of immense significance, following Italy's shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic on Friday evening.
In light of this, Germany would do well not to underestimate Russia. Far from being a "Group of Death", Group C -- and with it, the tournament as a whole -- has suddenly and dramatically come to life.
Possible teams
Germany: 1-Andreas Koepke, 6-Matthias Sammer, 14-Markus Babbel, 2-Stefan Reuter, 21-Dieter Eilts, 5-Thomas Helmer, 17-Christian Ziege, 10-Thomas Haessler, 7-Andy Moeller, 18-Juergen Klinsmann, 20-Oliver Bierhoff.
Russia: 1-Dmitry Kharin, 2-Omar Tetradze, 3-Yuri Nikiforov, 7- Viktor Onopko, 5-Yuri Kovtun, 8-Andrei Kanchelskis, 6-Valery Karpin, 10-Alexandr Mostovoi, 4-Ilya Tsymbalar, 9-Igor Kolyvanov, 11-Sergei Kiryakov.
Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark).