In particular, the performances of the sweeper Sergei Ignashevich and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev suggested that Guus Hiddink's national team could add to Steve McClaren's woes when they meet England next year.The ?te teams in Russian football have been on the rise in recent years despite disappointing crowds, corruption and a lack of depth in the game's infrastructure. Notwithstanding Thierry Henry's wrongly disallowed equaliser, the quality of CSKA Moscow's football in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal stood out on Tuesday night. Arsenal have had enough problems with the Russian influence on the Premiership since Roman Abramovich's arrival at Chelsea but they, and other western clubs, will have to get increasingly used to dealing with the Russian presence in the European arena. We cannot accept another performance like Saturday." "Against Italian teams, though, it is always difficult Livorno are a very good side. We must aim to get a clean sheet and defend well but also to counter-attack.".
Le Guen said: "My main preoccupation is to be better than we were on Saturday. While Le Guen understands the importance of victory in the opening group stage tie in Italy, he admits the priority is for his side to show that Saturday's defeat was a one-off. "To play against an English team is like a special incentive for me," he said. "I suffered a bad experience at Manchester United and these kind of matches can help me show my quality. I left United a frustrated player, but am more calm playing in Turkey and with more freedom by the coach.
"Ferguson always wanted more from me, but I am Kleberson and not Pele. I have more direct contact with Tigana than I did with Ferguson." The Rangers manager, Paul Le Guen, has demanded an improvement from his players for their game at Livorno after the defeat by Inverness last weekend. Following his move to Besiktas, Kleberson says he has been given a new lease of life by the former Fulham manager Jean Tigana. The Brazilian midfielder is still angry over his stay at Old Trafford when he made 28 appearances.
