Russia coach Dick Advocaat has said he wants his players to believe they can win the Euro 2012 title.
“My main goal is to win the event. And it should become the main goal for all of the Russian national team’s players. We’ll see how realistic this mission is for us,” he said.
Advocaat said that he had already settled in his mind the players who would form the backbone of his squad for Euro 2012, which is being jointly-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
“After the qualifying campaign for the European championship I believe that if my players can keep their concentration we can beat anyone on our day,” he said.
Leonardo backs Kombouare
Paris St Germain sporting director Leonardo insists coach Antoine Kombouare continues to have the full backing of the club despite Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Nancy.
Jean Calve’s strike early in the second half settled the contest at the Parc des Princes, although PSG remain at the top of Ligue 1 ahead of Montpellier on goal difference.
“There has been a lot said about Kombouare,” he said. “But the squad knows what is going on. The situation has never changed.
“Kombouare has the full confidence of the club and we will continue to work together. He is the coach, nothing has changed.”
Linesman struck by umbrella
The match between Granada and Mallorca was called off midway through the second half after an assistant referee was hit by an umbrella thrown from the crowd on Sunday night.
Granada had the initiative in the match between the two struggling sides after coming from behind to lead Mallorca 2-1 when the referee headed straight for the tunnel after one of his linesmen was struck.
There was a highly-charged atmosphere on and off the pitch but the euphoria in the stands spilled over when the umbrella was launched at the official.
Conte cautious
Juventus coach Antonio Conte will not allow himself to get carried away by his team’s lofty position in Serie A.
Sunday’s 3-0 win over Palermo enabled the Turin giants to leapfrog Lazio, Milan and Udinese and go top of the standings.
“I will only evaluate the standings when we reach the halfway stage of the campaign and we have faced all 19 other teams in Serie A,” Conte said.
“Then we will see where we are and who we want to become.
“We have to keep working hard because we are aware of the challenges that we will face.”
Ballack leaves retirement open
Bayer Leverkusen’s Michael Ballack has left the question of his retirement at the end of the season open as he prepares to face Chelsea in the Champions League tomorrow.
Ballack, who scored in Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Kaiserslautern on Friday, is out of contract in June. Despite dropping hints this will be his last season, the former Germany captain left the question of his retirement unanswered.
“Maybe it was not my last game here,” he said.
“I have never said that I want to stop, but if you are 35 years old and your contract expires, it is normal that you are concerned. We’ll have to see.”
Hiddink to take time off
Guus Hiddink has revealed he is still in touch with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich but the Dutchman has no plans to make a swift return to football.
Hiddink had his contract terminated by the Turkish FA by mutual consent last week, with reports in England quick to speculate that would lead to a return to Stamford Bridge.
Asked if he had received an offer from Chelsea, Hiddink, said: “No, I was contracted to the Turkish Federation at the time.
“The relationship (with Abramovich) was and has been and will be very good. When I go to London, I am always welcome. I will take some time off and we will see what the future brings.”
Robben: I need more games
Bayern Munich’s Dutch winger Arjen Robben has said he needs more matches to get back to his best and hopes to play a role in today’s Champions League match with Villarreal.
Robben made a surprise start for Bayern on Saturday when he played in the 1-0 defeat at home to champions Borussia Dortmund. It was Robben’s first match since groin surgery in October.
“I need the rhythm, I need games to get fit and to get back to my level,” he said.
“The coach asked me on Friday if I wanted to play from the start and I said, let’s do it.
“I have made a few brief appearances, which I don’t count, so I would say I have been out for three months. It was good to be back on the pitch.”