Analysis of EURO 2021: Experienced Russia team goes to fight for promotion from the group

Russia is bringing a very experienced team to the championship, which will probably fight for promotion from the second place in the group. Belgium is not likely to miss the first place, Finland is rather an outsider in the group. The duel with Denmark, which is scheduled for the last round of the basic groups, may decide the outcome.

The Russian squad is very experienced, with several players in their thirties. Three years ago, the Russians knocked out Spain on penalties in the World Cup eighth finals, only to fall out in the quarter-finals with later silver medallist Croatia.

Goalkeepers: Yuri Dyupin (Rubin), Matvei Safonov (Krasnodar), Anton Shunin (Dinamo Moscow)

Anton Shunin is the number one goalkeeper in the Russian national team. The 34-year-old is in his 14th season with Dynamo Moscow, but for a long time he only covered Akinfeev’s back in the national team.

Defenders: Igor Diveev (CSKA Moscow), Georgi Dzhikiya (Spartak Moscow), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Vyacheslav Karavaev (Zenit), Fedor Kudryashov (Antalyaspor), Andrei Semenov (Akhmat)

Vyacheslav Karavaev, former Sparta defender and current Russian league winner with Zenit, is a regular on the right flank. But he has a good competition in Mario Fernandes, an experienced CSKA back.

The stopper pairing is almost unchanged, with coach Stanislav Cherchesov regularly relying on the duo of Semenov – Dzhikya. At left-back, Yuri Zhirkov, already almost a legend of Russian football, the 37-year-old with a past at Chelsea is in his sixth year at Zenit. The experienced 34-year-old Fedor Kudryashov is also an alternative.

Midfielders: dmitri Barinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Denis Cheryshev (Valencia), Daniil Fomin (Dinamo Moscow), Aleksandr Golovin (Monaco), Daler Kuzyaev (Zenit), Andrei Mostovoy (Zenit), Maksim Mukhin (CSKA Moscow), Magomed Ozdoev (Zenit), Rifat Zhemaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow)

The cornerstone for Cherchesov is a pair of shield midfielders from Zenit, Ozdoev and Kuzyaev. Above them, Monaco’s Aleksandr Golovin, the team’s most creative player, operates most often.

The positions of the extreme midfielders are quite strong in Russia. Cherchesov can use Roman Zobnin from Spartak, Aleksey Ionov from Krasnodar, Aleksey Miranchuk from Atalanta or Denis Cheryshev from Villarreal, who is a Real Madrid offspring.

Forwards: Artem Dzyuba (Zenit), Aleksei Ionov (Krasnodar), Denis Makarov (Rubin), Aleksei Miranchuk (Atalanta), Aleksandr Sobolev (Spartak Moscow), Anton Zabolotny (CSKA Moscow)

The 32-year-old forward scored 20 goals in 27 games in the Russian Premier League this season, added 6 assists and led Zenit to the title.

Dzyuba is extremely uncomfortable for defenders, his 197 centimetres is almost impossible to defend when he is centre-back.

Key factors for success: Keeping a cool head and a solid defense

The Russians, by their nature, often get into skirmishes and arguments, which subsequently bring down their performance. If they avoid this and concentrate only on the game, it can bring them success.

A solid defence will be a very important part of the Russian team. Of the defensive five (including the goalkeeper), three players are over 32. So they will not lack experience.

In the attack, Dzyuba, together with Golovin, Miranchuk and Zobnin, can be expected to score goals, so it will be crucial to keep the score at zero.

Location Tip: Eighth place from third place

Source: Livesport