Russia will need more firepower against Croatia in the last eight

MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russians have exceeded their expectations after winning the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a win against Spain, but they will need more power if they want give victory to Croatia on Saturday.

The Russians played with five behind and just a lone striker in Artem Dzyuba and it worked against Spain, who managed just a chance in the entire 90 minutes on Sunday.

After playing more than 1,000 passes without ever threatening the Russians in the box, the Spaniards made the task easy for the hosts, who are the lowest ranked team in the tournament.

But it will not be the same against Croatia, as the Balkan nation also needs penalties to beat Denmark on Sunday, but having already shown flashes of their superb attack against Argentina, Nigeria and l & # 39; Iceland.

With Players such as the world Midfielder Luca Modric and a series of high-level forwards including Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic, Croatia will challenge Russia's far-back much more than the world. ;Spain.

The team of Zlatko Dalic scored at least two goals in each of his three group matches, including the dismissal of three defeats from Argentina, to claim one of the dark horses of this tournament.

Their attacks will also have all shapes and sizes, that it is about quick breaks, long crosses for Mandzukic,

dominant in air battles or individual demonstrations of skills and powerful blows in or around the box.

They will certainly not be as unilateral as the offensive options of Spain.

The Russians heaved a collective sigh of relief after winning an eighth place and started festivities across the vast country, but coach Stanislav Cherchesov tried to keep his players on the ground.

The only time the opposing team faced this tournament – Uruguay – Russia lost 3-0 without real resistance.

"I had to convince them that it was the only way (against Spain) because they do not like this system," said the coach, whose camp also had a shot on the target in two hours of football.

Cherchesov knows that his players have followed his plan to sit down and impregnate Spanish attempts to break through their much-feared tiki-taka pass game but against Croatia his team will have to score and Dzyuba does not may not be enough.

Russia will be without midfielder Yuri Zhirkov, injured in the leg, but Cherchesov is confident that his team has not yet reached its peak.

"We have worked after every game and now we have time to check who is ready to do what (against Croatia) We are looking at who is in shape, less fit. more here. "

As for his reserved celebrations that were limited to a brief raise of the hand at the final whistle, Cherchesov said:" It's the beginning and I have to save my emotions for later "