Russia’s head coach, Dick Advocaat, says he will pick his best eleven for Wednesday’s friendly against Serbia in Moscow, adding there is no time to experiment ahead of the fast-approaching European qualifiers.
The Dutchman will have to do without Zenit midfielder, Igor Denisov. The 27-year-old picked up an injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win at table-toppers CSKA.
Meanwhile, Serbia are missing top players Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea and Inter Milan’s Dejan Stankovic.
On Wednesday Advocaat told RT he regards Serbia as a good opponent ahead of the more crucial games in the autumn, for all of which, he believes, Russia will be favorites.
“We have everything in our hands. We have three home games, so we have to do it,” he said, adding: “I have a feeling that in all qualification games we have been the better side, so now we have to continue it in the final four games.”