England vs Russia - preview

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- Latest events

ENGLAND

·         Every ten years you look at England’s team and you feel that they can go all the way to the final. It’s the same now, after Euro 96 and World Cup ’06, where a young generation seems ready to the guide their country to glory.

·         The friendlies Hodgson’s team did were okay but nothing superb, with three narrow wins where it felt that England could’ve done more with creativity. Especially against Portugal, where the Three Lions played with an extra player for an hour and created little to no danger until Smalling’s header right at the end.  

·         Sterling was the source of danger in that game, but it’s expected that Roy Hodgson keeps the trio of Rooney-Vardy-Kane with the captain playing behind the best goalscorers of the Premier League. Stones showed some weaknesses so Cahill and his experience are going to be called into action.

RUSSIA

·         Dzagoev got injured just days before the final squad announcement. Then, in the last game of preparation, Denisov algo suffered a knock that will rule him out of the Euro.  A lot of troubles to an already shaken Russia, makes this team one of the big question marks of the competition.

·         Slutsky treid three man upfront, but it’s very doubtful he’ll try the same tactic against England, as it’s a very offensive system and it leaves exposed its back line. 

·         It’s hard to expect anything coming from Russia, but they are an experienced side that can cause upsets in a good day. And all this doubts around their team might work in their favor, as new names can start to shine.

- Expected Lineups

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- Areas to follow

ENGLAND

·         Defense

Nathaniel Clyne is confirmed to be out for the game against Russia, killing off any doubt the left-back position, that’ll be Danny Rose’s. Stones didn’t show all his qualities in the friendlies, and Hodgson is going to repeat the duo of Smalling and Cahill. Concentration and aerial capacity will be what’s required from the English backline, as they won’t be much disturbed.

·         Midfield

Wilshere was out for most of the year for Arsenal, but he’s absolutely essential for Hodgson’s system to work, as shown by the game England won against Portugal. Milner doesn’t have the creativity and the transport of the ball necessary to create disequilibrium’s from the back. Alli and Dier are young and want to show their skills, and Alli is set to have a great competition. Rooney will swap between the midfield and the attack.

·         Attack

It’s been a while since Hodgson and English managers, had two “20+ goals in the league”. Kane and Vardy had a fantastic season, with the Leicester man with the obvious advantage of the medal he has. But Kane is a wonderkid, a striker that is perfectly capable of creating play, which will connect well with Rooney, sitting a bit behind timing his runs. If this three learn how to work together, England can be a force to be reckoned.

             

RUSSIA

•             Defense
  
  It’s been the same names for over ten years. While that might be good, as they are experienced and know each other, in a competition like this, you have got to feel that the players are too slow and unreliable to be successful. Ignashevich and Berezutski were two great center backs, back in the day, but their age makes them a delicious pray for Kane, Vardy and co. .

•              Midfield
  
  The injuries of Dzagoev and Denisov limited Russia’s chances and Slutsky options. It’s very hard, without access to all the information, to predict which way the CSKA manager will go for this game. Being against England, and having tested a trio in the attack in the friendlies, we expect that Russia will use a 4-2-3-1, with Golovin having a chance as a box-to-box, Kokorin in a more of a shadow striker role. Shatov seems assured, and the left wing is a complete question mark.   

•              Attack
  
  Dzyuba has been on form, and he will be the spearhead of the attack. Kokorin will play away from him, but always looking to close the distance, so he can introduce himself in the area that he loves. Losing Denisov means losing a great finisher, and Russia will surely miss him, and will likely struggle against England.   

- FIL’S VERDICT

 England won all games and, even though the performance against Portugal was a underwhelming, that has motivated the Three Lions that will face a weakened and veteran Russia. Slutsky will try and surprise Hodgson, and he knows how the English manager will use his squad, so with their experience and tenacity, if Russia starts the game well, they might have a chance to bother.

 England will also start strong, trying to get an early goal to open up the Russian side, and with the firepower that Rooney, Kane and Vardy offer, with service from Wilshere and Alli it feels that the English will confirm they are the favorites and win their first game.

 With both defenses being known by fatal lacks of concentration, expect that both teams will be able to score a goal and making this an entertaining match. And maybe Slutsky has a completely different idea for this game…

FIL’S PREDICTION

ENGLAND 3-1 RUSSIA