The Eastern European Derby between Poland and Russia has
never carried so much importance but the co – hosts will be hard pressed to
strop Dick Advocaat’s men advancing towards the quarter finals on the back of a
win on a “Russia Day”.
Slow to start against the Czech Republic, Russia were more
impressive as the game went on, exerting control before and after Jarolslav Plasil’s
well taken equalizer, with a 4-1 score actually a very fair reflection of their
performance, with Aleksandr Kerzhakov missing several very good chances - had
seven shots off target against Czech Republic, a record for any one player in a
European Championship match - in that match while there could also have been a
penalty just before halftime. The midfield set up of Dzagoev, Kerzhakov and
Arshavin worked brilliantly, with Arshavin especially enjoying his role as the
winger/playmaker on Friday night has he produced a performance full of
inhibition, harking back to the 2008 Championships where Russia went all the way
to the semi-finals. Alan Dzagoev) has now netted five goals in his last three
competitive international appearances, while Kerzakhov’s movement was
impressive, if not his finishing skills in front of goal; Roman Pavluchenko's fourth should also give him confidence if coming on. The midfield also
looked to be a pertinent threat at all time and with Shirokov in particular
proving to be excellent going forward when partnering Zyryranov, there’s every
chance that Russia will creat enough chances, even if not on the level that
they were able to against the Czechs.
That should be largely because Poland, as co – hosts, will
present a far stiffer challenge defensively and offensively than the Czechs ever
did, with their performance in the first half against Greece kick starting the high
standard of football at this tournament. The much hyped Borussia Dortumund trio
of Lewandowski, Obranian, and Blaszczykowski
were all superb in the early stages, especially down the left hand flank, and
with Russia having started poorly against the Cezchs it’s an area they’ll look
to exploit with vigor today. Lewandowski showed us just how good he is with a dominating
performance at centre forward, while left back Lukasz Piszczek also deserves a
mention for constantly getting forward and feeding ball to the dangerous
wingers. The Greek match should have been over at half time but as Coach
Franciszek Smuda said, Poland were "paralysed by the pressure” in the
second half, which led the Greeks back into the game. I wouldn’t imagine the
same thing would happen today, but those who punt the home side must have it in
mind that Russia are a major step up on the Greeks in all areas (apart from
possibly defence), and are an attractive price to beat the hosts, even with the
fierce challenge of home advantage facing them, although that wasn’t enough to
stop Greece coming back from 1-0 and a man down, and one feels that Russia (if
it were to happen) could work their way back from a similar situation, while breaching
a defecit would be very hard work for Smuda’s men. Group interests mean that
there’s no need to go in heavy, but the Russians still make plenty of appeal.
Advice
2 pts Russia (13/10
general)
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