Group B analysis - Bale's dragon is awake and burning their opponents

1^st Wales (>FIL’s Prediction)

 This has been called the Euro of the Underdogs, and much of that is due to the incredible story of Wales that, led by Gareth Bale, has taken group B by storm, holding the stronger Slovakia to get a win and absolutely destroying Russia. They did lose against England but it was a very late goal, when Hodgson was in desperate search for a goal.
 They were rewarded with the group win and with Bale on form and an extraordinary team spirit, Wales are ready to continue to battle.

2^nd England (<FIL’s prediction)

 England was a bit of a letdown, mostly due to their inability to transform their dominance in the games, in chances and goals. They were only able to outscore Wales, but against both Slovakia and Russia, it felt that England could’ve and should’ve been more assertive in the last third.

 The team works better with Rooney on the pitch, for the captain to command their young teammates to better things. Eric Dier has been great in the holding midfielder position, but the attack has been too inconsistent for the English needs.

3^rd Slovakia (<FIL’s Prediction)

A bit of a hit and miss, the Slovakia squad. They were the better team in the game with Wales but were outdone by the Welsh clinical finishing and that put them under pressure for the Russia game. With 45 world class minutes from Hamsik, they virtually wrapped up their qualification, fact they confirmed with solid defensive display against England.

Hamsik, Duda and Weiss, when in a good day, can be a dangerous trio, with their speed and flair, and they can take a challenge and play in a more counter style. They will be hard to dismantle.

4^th Russia (=FIL’s Prediction)

 In a campaign to never repeat, Russia started losing some hope with the injuries of Dzagoev and Denisov, two of the main creative forces they would’ve hope to have in France. Without them, Russia was always a team that had troubles with the ball, and that meant a lot of pressure on their experienced, but past their prime, center backs. They were able to get to the last game with hope, but had a reality check, in form of a dragon.

 In the few positives, maybe the confirmation that Golovin is ready to dominate the Russian midfield for years to come and Dzyuba was fairly successful, if not supported that much.

Group B - Final round preview

How they got here

England

It was a hell of a ride, but England was in fact able to get to the last game in first place, with qualification, virtually, assured. Roy Hodgson’s squad put on two good matches, with the Russia one being more productive and against Wales the one with the happy ending. They showed good and various attacking outlets, but their defense still got them into trouble and something needs to improve for the knockouts.

Wales

Bale and his team have been great in spirit, even if sometimes they cannot unleash their attacking prowess. They almost got here in first place, but the late Sturridge goal brought them down. But after two games where they beat Slovakia and went head-to-head against England, they’ve got to believe Russia is beatable and first place possible.

Slovakia

Hamsik has been one of the highlights of the Euro, living up to the expectation of his nationals and scoring one of the goal of the tournament. On the first game, much like his team, he started well, but his fantastic run didn’t end up in goal and he couldn’t really pass that moment. But against Russia, Hamsik set the pitch on fire with a great first half that won the match for his team.

Russia

With a lot of problems, both in and out of the pitch, the Russians are still pretty much in the race for qualification, due to their fighting spirit that brought them a draw against England, that they did not deserve at all, and still allowed them to endanger Slovakia’s first ever win at a Euro.

What they need

England

They face their biggest test so far, as Slovakia is as organized as Wales and has considerably more offensive prowess. England knows that they only have to match the Wales game to not fall down to third, and a win is surely on the eyes of Hodgson, to face the knockout stage in full confidence

Wales

Everything is still open for Wales as they need to at least draw to make absolutely sure they are, at least, third. They’ve been performing fantastically and they will face a very underwhelming Russia and Coleman needs to pass the message the first place is possible and try to go for the win.

Slovakia

Depending on the other result, the draw might be enough for Slovakia against England, but it’s very unlikely that we see them content with that, and rather see the offensive force that they can be, trying to get the win and, as long as Wales doesn’t win, the first place.

Russia

It’s almost miraculous that Slutsky’s team arrives to the last game pretty much still with everything open. But they got the late goal against England and almost got the draw against Slovakia, and know they know the win against Wales, matched up with what happens in the other game, will get them, at least, a very good shout for one of the 3^rd place spots.

Matchday 6 - France qualified as Hamsik roars again.

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RUSSIA

·         The Player – Fedor Smolov
 
  Very active, but with problems with his finishing, Smolov ended up being the most resilient man upfront for Russia, even if he wasn’t that productive. Smolov tried, fought a lot, and is in the goal play, with a good pass for Shatov.

·         The Moment – Another late goal.

 At a time that Slovakia already thought the game won, came the best Russian play of the game, a great combination in the right between Smolov and Shatov, with the latter find Gulashkov for the goal. It wasn’t enough.

·         The Team

 It was a good start from Russia, knowing that a win would be vital to qualify in this group. Slutsky entered the match determined in being the first team to score and they had chances. Unfortunately everything went sour when Hamsik sliced up their defense for Weiss goal. And with Napoli’s star great strike, the Russians could never had come back.
 

SLOVAKIA

·         The Player – Marek Hamsik

Much better from the Napoli better, that this time had no great runs denied miraculously, but had much more influence in the result, creating Weiss’ goal, and scoring one himself. He commanded the midfielder, and made sure his team got the win. 

·         The Moment- Goal of the tournament?

 The way how Hamsik takes the opponent out of the way, looks up and, from the edge of the box, makes the ball go away, away from Akinfeev and against the back post, before laying comfortable in the net. The best goal of the tournament so far.

·         The Team

  Now, this is the Slovakia we expected. They started waiting to see how Russia would play, and after the first twenty minutes, Hamsik started controlling the game, with his pinpoint passing that never misses the target. They ended the second half in a high, and tried to kill the game, which they couldn’t
 Ended up suffering, but Slovakia definitely deserved the win.

- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

A very open and well played match, ended up with the better and most organized team winning fair and square. Russia started the game very well, trying to create chances, something they never did against England. Slovakia opted for a more contained approach, waiting for the Russian to take control.
 When Hamsik started taking the play to his feet though, the game changed. With the space left behind the full backs, Hamsik could play “find the alone winger” and create a goal. And after he decided to present us with a highlight that will stand for long time.

 The Russians accused the two goals, and barely tried to react until the 65 minute. Until then, Slovakia could’ve won the game and ended up suffering a goal, and risking losing points in a game they did not deserve it.

 Slovakia almost guaranteed third spot but they face a tough game versus England, and Russia knows they have to win and that might not be enough. It promises to be an emotional third round. aHaHHhhHaa

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ROMANIA

·         The Player – Alexandru Chipciu
 
  One of Iordanescu’s bets for the game, Chipciu showed he was ready. Playing on the left side, move that implicated Stancu on the middle, Steaua’s winger created constant trouble for Lichsteiner, being involved in the penalty play and confusing the Juventus’ full back with his pace and technique.

·         The Moment – Sapunaru misses the 2-0

Romania’s great first half translated in various chances, none bigger the one Sapunaru missed. After scoring first, the Romanians kept attacking in search of doubling their lead and they almost got it, when Sapunaru got the ball in the 6-yard box and smashed it against the post. And Switzerland would make them pay. 

·         The Team

Good game from Romania. Iordanescu believed that he could get the win against Switzerland and changed things around in order to do so, and the pace of the game proved him right. Only the blaster from Mehmedi could stop Romania from getting an historic win, in the end.


  

SWITZERLAND

·         The Player – Blerim Džemaili

  You could say it’s not necessarily it’s fault that Petkovic wants him to play advanced in the pitch, but every time Dzemaili gets that chance he seems to not enjoy it. He has a hard time with the ball at his feet, and rarely takes the best decision in the shot selection, making him fairly easy to annul by the Romania side.

·         The Moment- Mehmedi, bomb them!

 It was looking exactly like the Albania game, where Switzerland created the chances, but could not take them. Until a badly dealt with corner, from Romania, that came straight to Mehmedi’s left foot, and the Leverkusen player not wasting it and, virtually, qualifying Switzerland for the next stage.

·         The Team

  It was, again, far from pretty, but in the end Switzerland got a result that serves them perfectly. Seferovic was again wasteful, and this time Switzerland did have to run after the result, which resulted in more attacks and more possession, where the Swiss did ok, even though they still need to improve to face bigger opposition.

 

- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

A good game where both teams went for the win, and both ended up coming up short. Iordanescu’s changes in the attack messed up the Swiss plans, and Romania ended up scoring in an unquestionable penalty.

 Switzerland was then force to take back control of the game, which they had troubles with in the first half, where Romania could’ve grabbed a second goal and possibly the match, with Sapunaru’s chance being the most flagrant.

 Before the teams could really settle Mehmedi equalized, and the game dropped in intensity. After all, both teams know that 4 points should be enough, and Switzerland got them while Romania believes they can defeat Albania. And it’s not exactly a great imagination exercise that that happens. 

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FRANCE

·         The Player – Kingsley Coman
 
  Started instead of Griezmann in the right side, and the Bayern player should he deserves more time. Always looking for the ball, to play it forward, brave enough to attack far post crosses, Coman only lacked some composure in the final third, something we will put down to nerves, as we’re talking about a 20yr old.

·         The Moment – Déja vu!

 Much like the Romania game, the winning goal came late, very late, in a time where the press was surely testing headlines for such an unthinkable result. With pressure mounting, Albania’s defense ended up opening, and Rami did a great cross for Griezmann to finish it. Deadlock broken, and Albania’s hopes almost shattered.

·         The Team

 It was another exhibition that felt like something was missing, but that in the end guaranteed qualification. That’s France so far, not being brilliant against weaker opponents, but they get the win, and that’s mostly due to their individual quality. A team with Payet, Coman, Pogba, Griezmann, Martial can create so much that’s almost impossible to stop them.
 

ALBANIA

·         The Player – Elseid Hysaj

 Good game from the Napoli right back that had mostly defensive worries, but never tried to help in the attack, as points were needed. With a great physical capacity, Hysaj covered all the ground he could whilst try to stop Coman, Martial and others from creating danger.

·         The Moment- Those last 5 minutes of the 1^st half

  There was also Ledian’s confusing ball to the post, but those five minutes were brilliant. Confident after a good first half, where they had hold France, the Albanians tried their luck and created 2 or 3 half chances that, with more time or composure, could’ve been scored. And, in the end of the 2^nd, France showed how it’s done.
  

·         The Team

It was another valiant performance that ended up in disappointment and no points. But again, you cannot fault Di Biasi or his team, as they played with their strengths, tried to hide their faults, and did a great job at that.
 They have a final against Romania that, with some luck around the groups, might seem them through.

- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

France guaranteed qualification in a game where, again, they underwhelmed everybody with the production they had. They hardly ever could break the Albanian organized defense, and even ended up the first half in trouble, with Di Biasi’s team forcing for a possible strike from heaven.

 It wasn’t to come, and Lloris still saw a ball hit his left post until Albania’s gas ran out. It was time to try to hold on, and they were doing a fantastic job until they left Griezmann alone in the penalty spot, with the Atletico player not wasting the chance. Payet scored the second and sealed a hard fought win.

 France can rest players against Switzerland, if it pleases Deschamps, but that’s unlikely as he’ll want to top the group. As for Albania, they have to win against Romania, and then pray for the results they’ll need.   

DAY 2 - Wales in dreamland, England shocked.

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  ALBANIA

·         The Player – Ermir Lenjani
 
 A great game from the left wing back. Lenjani defended well, as expected of him, and was the one player that could carry the ball forward with better criteria, for Di Biasi’s team. When it was expected that Albania would be a right-sided team, Lenjani gave them a different outlet that their striker’s couldn’t capitalize.

·         The Moment – Lorik Cana’s loss of control

It’s hard to not feel sorry for Cana. He slipped, saw that Sefevoric was away on goal, and just handballed. He knew what he did, as soon as he did it, and he left his team forced to climb a mountain too high for them.
The Albanians did very well, but it felt that they needed the good version of their captain. And he failed them.

·         The Team

Conceding a goal in the first chance was the worst they could’ve asked for, but Albania was able to regroup and try to level the game. They played well, with good passing play and movement, and created some chances, but Sadiku wasn’t on his best days.
Lorik Cana was the stain in the sheet, but apart from that the fans should be proud of their team, and believe qualification is still very open.



 

  SWITZERLAND

·         The Player – Haris Seferović

 Eintracht Frankfurt’s striker was the big surprise of the starting XI, and it felt like a wasted bet from Petkovic. Seferovic had three great chances that a player like Derdyok or even Embolo, could have done better with and his physical presence was only felt in Lorik Cana’s sending off. It would be a very big surprise if we seem starting against Romania.

·         The Moment- Sommer saves the day

 The game was very near the end, and Albania had been lurking around but without real danger. Abrashi opened up Switzerland defense, and with a fantastic pass, he put Gashi straight on goal. Sommer made himself big, waited for the striker to shoot and made a wonder save that was celebrated like a goal. Decisive.

·         The Team

It was a very poor performance by Petkovic’s squad. The goal very early on determined they could play their game of waiting for the opponent to come out, but as Albania was unable too, it was up to the Swiss to keep the tempo up. They weren’t particularly interested in it, allowed their opponent to gain some confidence, and ended up risking their win.

 

- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

The nervous start from Albania ended up setting up the whole tone for the match. After only five minutes, the surprise in Swiss central defense, Schar jumped ahead of Berisha for the goal. It was the dream start for Switzerland, known for their difficulties in the finishing area.

 With a goal scored so early, the game took a route that was not expected, with Albania having to attack, but as they are not used to it, we ended up having a game that Switzerland was controlling until the 37 minute. And then things had a turn for worse for Di Biasi’s team, when captain Lorik Cana did a woeful mistake, handballed and got his 2^nd yellow card. It was the end of Albania…

 Or so it would seem, but the Albanians weren’t done yet. Di Biasi found the right words to motivate his players at half time and they went forward, tried to pressure Switzerland, and were almost rewarded by it, if only Sadiku or Çikaleshi had done better with their chances.

 Switzerland had and horrible match, and can be very happy that they actually won the game, as Albania certainly deserved more from this. Petkovic knows he needs to have better showings in the next two games, if he wants to avoid any problems in qualifying. Di Biasi, on the other hand, should be happy with his players, and motivate them to try to recreate what they did against France. It will be an even harder game, but the game in Lens left some good notes.



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   WALES

·         The Player – Gareth Bale
 
 He’s ready to take his team further and further. Gareth Bale responded to the call and said “present” the first chance he got, in a beautifully taken free kick, and had a great chance with a header that the keeper barely kept out.
 Bale was the leader his team needed, always chasing the ball when not in possession, and carrying the team forward with it. The Real Madrid galatico will continue to ride his own dragon.

·         The Moment – Joe Ledley’s back!

 After having broken his leg in May, it was very surprising to see Ledley in the 23-man squad, let alone a possibility to play in the first game.
 The fairytale wasn’t quite complete with just that though, was it? With ten minutes to go, the Palace man got the ball in the midfield. He saw the blonde Ramsay and, feeling it was weird, threw a rock at him. Ramsey, like a Brazilian, took out Skertel without touching the ball, and left it to Robson-Kanu that hit it to win the game for Wales. With his shin, fooling everyone. Like it was on purpose.

·         The Team

There was a lot of surprises from Coleman. Starting with the forced one, with Hennessey having woken up with a back spasm that took him out of contention. King not being started was a surprise, and Williams a bigger one, but understandable, as it freed Bale to be the danger that he is.
Coleman’s team did a great job in Bordeaux, in control during most of the match, and only shaken by Duda’s goal.


 

   SLOVAKIA

·         The Player – Juraj Kucka

After a good season at AC Milan – team that, admittedly, isn’t what they used to be – Juraj Kucka was expected to be the protector of Marek Hamsik, the player that would help carry the team forward. Instead, Kucka (or Kuco) was off it, barely having possession, and more interested in arguing the referee’s decision. Very underwhelming.

·         The Moment- Hamsik’s run ends in nothing.

 It set the tone for a frustrating game for Slovakia. Hamsik got the ball from a welsh player, made a great run, avoiding red shirts like Maradona, and just Ward between him and goal, he made the shot. He was starting to celebrate when Ben Davies stopped the joy. And the game just went downhill

·         The Team

Very disappointing performance from Slovakia. Duris was started instead of Duda, and he was left to fight against three center backs, in an impossible mission. Hamsik was affected by the chance in the beginning, Weiss was horrendous and Mak irregular.

 Jan Kozák will have a lot to think about, because the display had very few positives. Those would have to be Duda’s goal and the reaction after it, but all the rest was just poor.

- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

Chris Coleman surprised everyone with Williams, but he showed to be the right decision as he would be the most similar player to Robson-Kanu, that was available to start.

The game started very nervous, with both teams feeling the environment, and Hamsik had a glorious chance to start the Euro with a goal, but Ben Davies made an impressive sliding tackle to avoid that. And ten minutes in, Gareth Bale had a free kick from 30 yards and he hit it perfectly. The keeper could’ve done better, but the shot had all the Welsh’s power in it and the goal shook Slovakia that disappeared from the game until half time.

 Bale had a great chance to score the second, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Kozacik, with Wales keeping the pressure and always seeming nearer the goal. So, it was completely out of nowhere that Mak was able to find Duda and the wonderkid, coolly, slotted it away.

Finally Slovakia had momentum, but it only lasted until Coleman brought on Ledley and Robson-Kanu. Not only this two were the ends of the goal (with the brilliant Ramsay signature) but Ledley got control of the midfield back with ease from Kucka and Hamsik, being determinant for the win.

 Wales surprised with their positive, going forward attitude, caught Slovakia off guard, and are rewarded with top of the group until the second matchday. And with the win, at least 3^rd position seems fairly certain. Slovakia was woeful and will have to turn things completely around if they want to succeed.

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   ENGLAND

·         The Player – Wayne Rooney

Playing further back than usual, for England, Wayne Rooney showed he’s ready to finish the transition to a midfielder for the latter part of his career. Commanding his team, he was untiring in defensive matters and had a couple of chances to score himself. Very unselfish in letting Dier take the free kick for the goal.
 
 

·         The Moment – Kane is taking corners?!

It wasn’t the first time, but before you would’ve thought it was just a friendly game thing. But apparently Kane is now the corner taker for England. He’s a decent crosser and everything, but it’s weird that Hodgson is willing to give up of having his striker in the box for the corners…

·         The Team

 Roy Hodgson shuffled the cards just before the game, and dealt us the 4-3-3 that he seemed to have abandoned. Vardy and Wilshere were then replaced by Lallana and Sterling, and England did a good game. They pressured immensely, they created enough chances to have the game won by the 70’ minute. But the lost concentration in extra-time and wasted two points. Heartbreaking.



 

   RUSSIA

·         The Player – Aleksandr Kokorin

 When Russia was able to carry the ball to the offensive end, Kokorin was always involved. Appearing left, right and center, the Zenit forward was a trouble maker that need more help from Smolov to be effective.

·         The Moment- Oh look!! We’ve scored

It was the most unlikely thing to happen. Russia had zero chances throughout the whole game and two minutes after the regular time, Berezutski was ahead from a corner and headed a cross over Joe Hart, straight into a goal.

·         The Team

It was a robbing in Marseille, protagonized by Slutsky’s team. Adding a solid defensive show, England’s lack of composure, and a late goal out of nowhere, Russia got a great result that should give them some confidence for the rest of the games.
 It’s certain that the exhibition was extremely poor, with very few moments to remember, but the point, that’s in the history books.

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- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS

Both managers decided to try and surprise us, with Hodgson going further changing all the system, while Slutsky deployed Neudstader for the first time in the midfield.

 England started strongly and controlled the game, creating chances from the right side, with Walker having a great showing, always bombing forward, and Lallana fluffing a couple of shots. Russia tried their best to hold England, and they did a good job at it, with Golovin and Neudstader forming an unlikely pairing that had troubles, but survived.

 Russia was never a threat offensively and England made the most of it, but they lacked the punch to put a certain victory in the bag. There was always that last pass, the touch or the shot, something was always off.

 It seemed everything was okay, when Dier powered a free kick into Akinfeev’s net. Russia never seemed dangerous anyway, and England still felt the team more comfortable with the ball so things were going well. Only to have everything ruined by the header of Berezutski.

Both teams have hopes and worries to take from this game. England will have a crucial game against Wales, needing to win it, and Russia knows that the exhibition against Slovakia can only be better.