Russia

It’ll be Russia’s first appearance at the World Cup since 2002. A lot has changed since that time but the nation missed its peak years in the group stage at the Euro 2012.

From Total Football to pragmatism

In 2008, when Manchester United and Chelsea battled for Champions League in Moscow, Zenit St Petersburg had a party because they won the UEFA Cup. Roman Abramovich was The Blues’ owner and then in June and July Russia’s national team advanced into the semi-finals having been led by Guus Hiddink. It’s been six years since that time and Russia’s football made its way to the upper echelons, but never to a real top level.

Two years, ago they started brilliantly their Euro 2012 run, but after drawing to hosts Poland and losing to Greece they faced a group stage exit. They played generally counterattacking football but with lots of fluidity and interchanging of positions. But still, coach Dick Advocaat from Netherlands resigned and in came Fabio Capello. He had a fellow Italian coach in Zenit’s Luciano Spaletti. In a way, the latter is much more Dutch  than Italian – he’s more of a philosopher than a pragmatic coach.

With Capello replacing Advocaat, Russian national team experienced a change in philosophy. Before it was more expansive football, with emphasis on short passing, now it’s much more pragmatic, more defensive and eventually – more effective. Capello recognised problems and found the best formula. He knew he couldn’t be attacking – superior teams will find a way through easily.

From CSKA with love

During the qualifiers, Russians let in just 5 goals in 10 games, which is a testament to a solid defensive performance from the whole team. One of the main catalyst of building a good team, is having most players in home league, especially in few strongest teams – CSKA Moscow, Zenit and Dinamo Moscow. Capello can count on solid centre backs partnership of Vasily Berezutskyi and Sergey Ignashevich from CSKA, then there’s a midfield three that has two Zenit players – Viktor Faizulin and Roman Shirokov (on loan to FC Krasnodar).

The latter is an interesting case. He often speaks faster than he thinks and abuses lots of people. But on the pitch he plays as if he was an English Premier League or La Liga player – spreading passes comfortably, dribbling, shooting.

He is the player to give the ball to a good front line of Alan Dzagoev, Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Aleksandr Kokorin. Dzagoev features in plenty of positions for CSKA starting from defensive midfielder to an offensive one. He can also play on the wings as he did during the Euro 2012. He gave an impression of being a creative, quick player who has an eye for a goal.

Kokorin was sold to Anji Makhachkala in the summer by Dinamo Moscow, but after Anji’s financial problems, Dinamo decide to buy him back. He scored four goals in seven games for Russia during the qualifiers and in the league, he showed composure and technique that make him one of the most promising strikers in Europe.

Playing style

Russia plays a conservative, counterattacking football. They have strong, physical defence and midfield and fast forwards. Capello’s team is very hard to break and should give lots of trouble to any team.

Coach

Fabio Capello is a man that needs no introduction. He won many Serie A titles as well as lifting the Champions League trophy in 1994. Capello twice won La Liga title with Real Madrid. He guided Roma to Italian championship and he also coached England. Everywhere he went with different approach and utilised different formations.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

17th June, Cuiaba: vs. South Korea (2-1)

22nd June, Rio de Janeiro: vs. Belgium (1-1)

26th June, Curitiba: vs. Algeria (1-0)