Despite earning a creditable 1-1 draw in Friday's Euro 2012 warm-up match against Uruguay, the Russians still have a lot to improve upon if they are to make their mark in Ukraine and Poland, coach Dick Advocaat said.
A quick-fire exchange of goals early in the second half from Luis Suarez and Alexander Kerzhakov ensured the honors were shared in a game in which Russia showed no shortage of attacking verve.
But Advocaat said there was much to work on.
"In the first half we dropped back a little too far, gave them space," Advocaat said.
"In the second half, we tried to pressurize a little bit more, and they did well ... The whole team played the second half better."
Russia appeared to lack a cutting edge in the first half, which Advocaat rectified by bringing on Kerzhakov for lethargic Fulham striker Pavel Pogrebnyak at half time.
"We know we still have to improve, which we'll do in time for the first match against the Czechs," he said, referring to Russia's opening Euro 2012 group game in Wroclaw, Poland, on June 8.
Friday's friendly was Russia's last home game before the tournament.
Two more warm-up matches await in Switzerland: One on Tuesday against Lithuania and a final one on June 1 against Italy.
Advocaat announced his final 23-man squad after the Uruguay game, dropping Spartak Moscow striker Artem Dzyuba and Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Magomed Ozdoev.
It meant places were retained for surprise inclusions Rubin Kazan defender Roman Sharonov, 35, and Sporting Lisbon midfielder Marat Izmailov, 29.
