Russia vs Slovakia - preview

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- Latest events

RUSSIA

·        Russia is facing administrative elimination, due to the fighting occurred in Marseille in the game the Russians played against England. Another situation like the one we saw Saturday, and Uefa says Russia is out.  

·         Even though is nothing directly related with them, the fact that there’s this extra pressure over their national companions surely will affect the players.  

·         Slutsky’s squad robbed England in the match, with a very late goal that came, virtually, out of nowhere, to rescue a point for the 2018 WC hosts and can dream of upsetting group B.

SLOVAKIA

·         It was one of the biggest disappointments of the first round of games in France. The game against Wales was pretty poor, and Slovakia has no room for error anymore.  

·         The man upfront were a disaster, with Hamsik and Weiss, as the most experienced, being the biggest disappointments.

·         Things need to take a big turn, if Slovakia still hopes to qualify. For that, they’ll surely need a win against Russia, and will need to attack more and, more importantly, better.  

- Areas to follow

RUSSIA

·         Defense

It was clearly the best part of Russian game against England, and it was still far from brilliant. Russia was able to get the draw but mostly it was due to the ineffectiveness of English strikers. Even so, Akinfeev should he can be one of the Russian heroes, while the old but gold duo of Ignashevich and Berezutski did a good jump in covering their lack of pace with some good old determination and anticipation.

·         Midfield

Neustadter started against England and he was helpful in his mission of holding the rival’s offensive, and being the first constructor for Russia. Side by side with Golovin, they made a very unlikely duo, that certainly needs to work their chemistry, but wasn’t a totally wasted bed. 

·         Attack

Here was the true big problem for Slutsky, and one that will unlikely be solved, as Russia simply does not enough quality in the front to be a force. Kokorin did well, and was the only one on point, with Dzuyba and Smolov being quite out of it and just not helpful.

             

SLOVAKIA

·            Defense

 They didn’t have the best of games against Wales and will have to improve a lot to be an asset to the team in the next two games. Skrtel was particularly disappointing, clearly gasping for rhythm, after a poor season at Liverpool. He never could handle Bale and Co. and did some questionable things in despair, like elbowing an opponent, fact that wasn’t caught be the referees.

·             Midfield

 Hamsik is probably still thinking how that incredible run of his wasn’t a goal. It affected his whole game, as he wasn’t inspired, missing passes that he usually doesn’t not seeing much of the ball. Weiss was also quite poor, and Kucka was more interested in fighting decisions than playing. Definitely need to do more if they don’t want to go home.

·             Attack

Duris didn’t have the best of game, but truth be told, that was more due to the lack of proper service, as Viktoria Plzen’s striker did fight hard against the three center backs he had to face. Duda on the other hand, come on like a veteran, and scored a great goal, showing that he needs to start more times.

- FIL’S VERDICT

 Slovakia disappointed against Wales and ended up losing a game where they enjoyed more possession and more chances, but the quality of the play was quite poor, and the defensive transition was no shorter than shocking, allowing Bale to run free and Wales to be dangerous.

 Hamsik and Weiss, the two big names of this teams, did not have a good game, lost most of the duels they had, and didn’t help the team elevate their game. The backline was slow and with Skrtel completely unfocused, things weren’t good. Now, Slovakia needs to win, and they now they can only play better.

 Russia had a better result, but it’s very arguable which team played better on the first matchday. Russian goal was fortunate and unexpected, and Russia could celebrate the draw. Not the exhibition though, that will have to improve.

 Slovakia has more talent and now needs a win to erase the bad image left against Bale’s dragon. Russia is pressured on and off the pitch, and Slovaks need to take advantage.

FIL’S PREDICTION

RUSSIA 0-2 SLOVAKIA