We are better players for players “- Aftonbladet

Moscow. , Russia is tightly pressed in the European Championship qualifiers.

Then press Albin Ekdal to the Russians a little extra before tonight’s clash in Moscow.

– We are a better team and the better players for players, says midfield star to Sportbladet.

Russia first seeded and group favorites in European Championship qualifiers.

Now you almost missed a direct place in France next year.

It is required with the greatest safety three points against Sweden at home in the evening to have a chance on a direct place.

The pressure is huge on the Russian team.

When the match Albin Ekdal on where he stands inside the grass at the match venue Otkrytije, pushing the Russians a little extra .

– I think we’re a better team, he says Sportbladet.

Are you better also players for players?

– I think we are better players for players. I think so.

“We’ll see”

When we ask Andreas Granqvist, who meet the Russian stars to living in the Russian league, at the official press conference if he agrees responds central defender:

– Always helpful with confidence. But I will answer some more diplomatically because I want to return home to Russia after the game. They have home so they are a little favorites. Player for player it is quite evenly. But hopefully we win and can back up Albin’s statements, smiling “Christmas tree”.

When we confront the Russian team captain Roman Shirokov with Ekdal statement he replies briefly:

– We’ll see.

In the mental game has Ekdal more plans on how to trap the Russian bear. Especially if you sorted out the expected onrush first 20 minutes.

– The idea is that we will keep the ball and make the Russians frustrated. We will not let them control too much. I think they can become stressed easily if we keep the ball and control the game then there are those who hunt a profit the most.

“The crowd turns”

If Sweden were to keep 0- 0 an hour into the match, or even take the lead think Ekdal to get the Russian audience to turn against his own team.

– So it is for most national teams. If you make a poor performance at home and is in trouble turning the audience against one, as the Netherlands yesterday in Iceland, says Ekdal.

Sjirokov is again not.

– I ensures that the audience supports us no matter what it is, says team captain.

* European Championship qualifier between Russia-Sweden starts at 18:00. Game was broadcast in Channel 5th