uefa.com
Russia enter Group A of Euro 2012 as slight favourites, in what should be a tightly-contested pool with Greece, Czech Republic and Poland. Despite this, Dick Advocaat’s men are far from being guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds, as mediocre form over the last number of years has failed to inspire confidence. However, the eastern European country’s most able players have started to return to the Russian Premier League this season, which may well pose as a source of national pride ahead of the tournament.
Despite big-money moves to some of England’s leading clubs, the nation’s best home-grown players have returned to their homeland in recent times. Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Yuri Zhirkov have all left Premier League sides to return home, which could have a bearing on the national set-up.
All four of the mentioned players played key roles in the side’s excellent run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, and along with Zenit St Petersburg’s Europa League triumph in 2008, Russian football has been propelled into the European limelight. Premier League sides were quick to take advantage of the impressive quartet whilst they were in form, but all four have suffered dramatic downturns in form, with Bilyaletdinov not even making the 23 for Euro 2012.
Arshavin has been the poster boy for Russian football for the last five years, the hero of a nation and he is without doubt extremely talented when he hits his straps. Arsene Wenger broke the north London club’s transfer record to bring him to Arsenal, and at times he has proved his worth, with his four goals against Liverpool in an epic 4-4 draw sticking out in the memory. However, inconsistent form and a drop in confidence in 2011-12 has resulted in the attacking midfielder returning to Zenit on loan.
Arshavin’s attacking partner in crime for Euro 2008, Roman Pavlyuchenko, chose the other side of north London and moved to Tottenham after shooting to fame. However, with a raft of other attackers at the White Hart Lane club’s disposal, Pav found it difficult to hold down a regular starting berth at Spurs. At times eagle-eyed in front of goal and ruthless when confident, the Russian public will hope the striker’s sharpness will have returned after a January move to Lokomotiv Moscow.
Yuri Zhirkov was the main provider of opportunities for the attacking pair four years ago, with barnstorming runs down the left flank catching the eye of Chelsea. A big-money move to Stamford Bridge bore a fruitless and frustrated period for the versatile wideman, and a move to Anzhi Makhachkala provided reprieve after sparing opportunities in west London.
Despite poor individual performances by this trio over the last 12-18 months, their ability can not be questioned. With Marat Izmailov and Pavel Pogrebnyak the only squad members not plying their club trade in Russia, a sense of the collective will be key for the eastern European nation this summer – with the fallen trio playing a key role in the nation’s chances. A return to form for Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko and Zhirkov, in partnership with rising star Alan Dzagoev, could see Russia dominate Group A and win back some national pride.
Tags: Alan Dzagoev, Andrey Arshavin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Marat Izmailov, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Russia, Yuri Zhirkov
