UEFA EURO reporter's view: Russia
Monday, May 23, 2016
Article summary
UEFA.com's Russia team reporter Richard van Poortvliet provides the inside track on Leonid Slutski's squad, with one to watch up front but potential problems at the back.
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Article body
Squad analysis
This Russia side is not getting any younger and a lack of pace at the back is a worry for coach Leonid Slutski: the first-choice central defensive pairing of Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich are both the wrong side of 30. The loss of in-form playmaker Alan Dzagoev through injury is a bitter blow but going forward Russia have plenty of options with the likes of Artem Dzyuba, Fedor Smolov and Oleg Shatov.
One to watch
While Dzyuba has grabbed most of the headlines outside of Russia after eight goals in qualifying, Smolov has slipped under the radar. The Krasnodar striker, 25, finally started to fulfill his undoubted potential this season as he finished top scorer in Russia with 20 league goals, including 13 in his last eight outings. Slutski will need to play to Russia's strengths and find a way of partnering the in-form Smolov with Dzyuba.
How they'll play
Russia are not blessed with pace so they will look to keep possession and try and wear down their opponents with an intricate passing game. Unlike previous Russia sides, this team have a plan B with their ability to use the aerial prowess of Dzyuba. If Slutski's men are to be successful they need to bring him into the game as much as possible.
What you won't know
Schalke midfielder Roman Neustädter, 28, is a former German youth international (he also won two senior caps in friendlies) born in Ukraine whose father Peter represented Kazakhstan. When he was included in Russia's 23-man squad for UEFA EURO 2016, the final paperwork was still being completed for his Russian passport.
How they'll do
Qualification from the group is bare minimum for Russia, but a quarter-final appearance would be an excellent result given that this is far from the strongest Russia side to have graced a EURO.
Most memorable EURO moment
One of my earliest footballing memories and one that will surely stay with me forever: Marco van Basten somehow managing to score against the Soviet Union from an almost impossible angle with that volley in '88! Many days were spent over the next few months in the back garden trying to replicate that brilliance ... with little success.
What I'm most looking forward to this summer
The opportunity to see fans from nations who could only previously have dreamed of attending major tournaments to watch their country.
Follow Richard throughout the finals on @UEFAcomRichVP
