Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group A - Russia Team Review

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Russia

FIFA World Ranking: 66
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: Qualified As Hosts
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: Qualified As Hosts
Qualifying Top Scorer: Qualified As Hosts
World Cup Best Performance: Fourth Place (1966 as USSR)

Group A Opponents: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.


The Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov
Capped 49 times as a player from the days of the USSR, Cherchesov appeared for his country at both the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. Having managed various clubs both at home and abroad, success on the managerial front only came recently when claiming the League and Cup double with Legia Warsaw in Poland in 2016. That led to his appointment as National team coach for whom his record so far reads five wins, five draws and eight defeats from 18 games.


The Squad:
Predominantly based in Russia, the fact that there aren’t too many Russian players plying their trade in the top European Leagues shouldn’t necessarily be taken as a negative as they are offered significant financial incentives to stay in their home country.

This is nevertheless not the strongest of squads on paper, with the side having the look of a team in transition, particularly at the back where the younger replacements for the Berezutski twins are yet to really convince.

Whilst the defensive foundations look far from sturdy, there is hope for Russia further up the pitch, particularly in the form of the emerging talent that is 21 year old, Alekansdr Golovin. A lively presence in the centre of midfield, he is a threat from set plays, and if there is to be star that bursts on to the scene for Russia at this World Cup, it seems most likely to be him.

Midfield looks to be the strongest area for this Russian side – although captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is also generally solid – as they now also have significant problems up front. The pre-tournament injury to Aleksandr Kokorin leaves Cherchesov short of options up top, with much of the goal scoring duties now expected to fall on FK Krasnodar’s Fedor Smolov.


Star Man: Alan Dzagoev
Proven on the international stage having been joint top scorer at Euro 2012, the CSKA Moscow man is probably still Russia’s classiest player. Adept at both creating and taking chances, he will be a threat to all in this group if – and recently this has proved to be a big if – he can stay fit.


Outlook:

Uruguay look to be comfortably the best side in this group and should top the section. With Saudi Arabia expected to be the basement boys, the battle for second spot looks set to come down to a straight fight between Russia and Egypt. Home advantage could prove telling for the Russian’s, and with Egypt possibly now being without their talisman Mohamed Salah, the home nation should secure progression to the knockout stages.


Group A Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2435.0

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