UEFA recently conducted the draw for the Euro 2016 qualifying stages. Russia, who recently were elated after qualifying for the World Cup 2014, have been drawn alongside top teams like Sweden and Montenegro. Fabio Capello has commented about the draw by saying that these are tough matches, but he expects Russia to qualify for the Euro 2016. The nation failed to appear at the Euro 2012 after doing very poorly in the qualification stages. The arrival of Capello has once again booster the national team, who have been looking as one of the favourites to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Russia will be coming up against Sweden, who were the joint favourites to win the group. This is primarily due to the presence of PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is regarded as the best in the world right now. Capello has stated that he is someone who knows most of the top group opponents. This is largely due to the managerial experience he has got from being the manager of England in his former role. Capello has come up against Montenegro, while Sweden are also a familiar opponent. The Italian, though, has stated that Austria is something of an unknown quantity since he has come up against those Europeans very little.

“The group is a tough one. We have Sweden who I know well and Montenegro who I know even better having come up against them with England. I don’t know much about Austria, but they’re all teams who came close to reaching the World Cup. I have respect for all our opponents and there will be lots of difficult matches. Sweden are a team that nobody wanted in their group. Now we have to play against a team with a player I know very well – Zlatan Ibrahimović,” said Capello.