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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