Kokorin only came on late for Dzagoev though. The sub looked left footed and he replaced a right footer on the right. For all Dzagoev was technically on the right side for his footedness, he didn't half slice right footed shots wide from good right sided positions.

There were a maybe three of them, each time he needed to shoot across goal but went for the near post and missed the goal totally.

Arshavin floated more between left and central which made sense, he was the left sided attacker though with Kerzakhov the main central player.

It was an interesting example of going against the accepted tactical norm though by playing wide players on the side of their footedness. You saw both the advantages and disadvantages though. The advantage is the true width you get which can stretch a team and the pace you can break at. You are sprinting in straighter lines on your favoured foot, none of this checking to come inside and losing momentum which can allow a defender to recover the lost yards on you.

So that was a success, especially as the Czechs are not quick at the back and were not quick at reacting to losing possession. The Russians were streaking away in space an awful lot for a game at this level.

But you saw the downside too. When a wide player does play on his wrong foot and he comes inside, he has a decent amount of the goal to shoot at. Dzagoev for example was running a wide channel and the closer he was getting to goal, the narrower his angles were getting. It needs more composed finishing in that situation and of course the Russians didn't really do this.

The other downside comes with the width. It gives you attacking scope but opens you up defensively when you lose the ball and you take longer to narrow the play. Now I think Russia looked pretty tight tonight apart from going to sleep and allowing the pass for the Czech goal, however I will be interested to see if they play reverse wingers for pragmatic purposes when they play a decent team in the knock-out stages.

Says the man that actually likes sponsors logos.

I love that so many people had this group and these two games as the boring ones of the tournament. Great start. I think all boxes have been ticked already

Jimmy Bignutz wrote:


It doesn't, actually. More like 'Pilarrsch'. There is an hacek on the r that substantially changes the pronounciation. I think the BBC commentator was attempting it, and not really getting close.

Erm, I don't believe this game was actually played, was it? So, carry on...

At least we have a tournament nightmare striking pairing already, Kerzhakov and Samaras.

Hilarious.

What I'd give for a deadspin.com-style slo-motion fest of their chances tonight.

It's too bad because Kerzhakov was actually having a good game overall, lots of great movement and good passing, let down by some poor finishing. McManaman was quick to defend him when Darke said that he was the one weak link of the Russian team. Pavlyuchenko may have been more clinical, I'm not sure that Russia play better if he starts in future games, especially against better teams.

What a cracker of a game. End to end stuff which had me on the edge of my seat (well,sofa). Some super-duper goals too.

I like the look of this Russian side and i feel they could be an outside bet to win the tournament.

dalliance wrote:


Yes, I didn't mean Kokorin replaced Kerzhakov but when the former did get on he took up similar position with similar problems.

Anyway, I'm in Warsaw today (not for games unfortunately) and I've just found out I'm in the same hotel as the Russian squad so I'll see if I can get them sorted and balanced.

Kokorin replaced Dzagoev and played right side as a left footer. To be honest he was different as he was playing as a reverse winger, the first time they did this in the game.

Have fun in Warsaw!