A point would be good, says Arshavin

October 10, 2008

BERLIN (AFP) - Russia’s midfield star Andrei Arshavin said Friday his team would be happy to take a point from Group Four rivals Germany when the pair meet in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Zenit St Petersburg star was one of Russia’s most eye-catching performers during Euro 2008 where his side reached the semi-final by playing attractive attacking football.

"It would be a good result if we could take a point away with us," said Arshavin.

Groups leaders Germany will be at full strength Saturday with captain Michael Ballack and midfielder Torsten Frings back from injury playing behind strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.

"The most dangerous part of the German team is their attack," said the attacking midfielder.

"And a team in which Michael Ballack plays is already dangerous."

Dortmund’s 80,000-seater Signal Iduna Park stadium is an intimidating venue for visiting teams, but Arshavin insists his attack-minded side have no fear.

"To play in such a stadium is extremely difficult for visiting teams, but in our team there are people who don’t fear anything," said the Russian.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has a few injury worries with striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, defender Denis Kolodin and midfielder Dmitry Torbinsky all ruled out.

With Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke injured, the Russians will be up against debutant Rene Adler from Bayer Leverkusen.

And the 61-year-old Dutchman agrees with his midfielder a point would be a good result for Russia.

"To come to Germany and get a point from a stadium like the one we see in Dortmund would be an absolute top result," said Hiddink, whose side beat Wales 2-1 in Moscow last month.

"We have analysed the Germans in detail.

"We know that they rarely lose their concentration and will score goals right up until the last seconds.

"A Germany team will never give up."

Written by: AFP

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