Euro 2012 Team Preview: Russia

RUSSIA

uefa.com

These are interesting times in Russian football with an influx of money coming into the domestic game in the form of multi-billionaire owners clubs like Anzhi Makhachkala, who are beginning to challenge the long-standing powers from Moscow and St Petersburg. The cash injection has also seen a sharp rise in the number of foreign players arriving in the league and the top flight’s overall standing with UEFA improve. For now though, tradition is standing firm with the big sides, especially CSKA and Zenit, supplying the nucleus of players for the national team. It is having this core of players who are so used to playing together that has long been a strength of the Russian national side.

Russia had a fine run to the semi-finals in 2008 and having players familiar to each other was definitely a factor with Andrey Arshavin in devastating form for his country whilst amongst the comfort of his then Zenit St Petersburg teammates. Despite the familiarity factor, Russia have been un-inspiring since. They failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and then lost their opening home qualifier against Slovakia. An improvement saw them then go unbeaten in eight games to win arguably one of the easiest groups ahead of Republic of Ireland.

Coach Dick Advocaat, in charge after replacing fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink, will bow out after the tournament to return to old club PSV. In the qualifying Advocaat’s experienced crop of players were able to control games with ease against inferior sides but only one big win against minnows Andorra was recorded and the Dutchman’s side have been criticised for lacking a cutting edge.

Key Man: Alan Dzagoev

With the vintage squad of four years ago now aging and the talisman from that tournament, Arshavin, now looking to have faded as the leading light, the time has come for another young playmaker to take centre stage. Alan Dzagoev, at 21, already has plenty of top-level experience under his belt having been in CSKA Moscow’s Champions League squad for a couple of years. Russian fans will hope that the talented youngster can light up the tournament and provide some much-needed attacking threat if Arshavin fails to perform. Should Dzagoev step up to the plate Europe’s top clubs will certainly take note.

Watch Out For: Magomed Ozdoyev

As yet untested at full international level, the Lokomotiv youngster is something of a surprise inclusion. At just 19 though, he has been an almost ever-present component for his club side in the league over the last season. Don’t expect him to start games but expect him to look assured beyond his years should he feature in his natural deep midfield role.  

1000 Goals Predicts:

Russia won’t go past the quarter finals this time around. Their good run last time out and topping their qualifying group is enough to make them favourites in an unattractive Group A. Whether they go through in first or second place is likely to be irrelevant as they don’t look incisive enough to do any damage to any of the Group B big guns in the next round.