We continue with our coverage of next monthβs Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine by bringing the analysis of Group A to its conclusion. Having already run the rule over Czech Republic, Greece and Poland, we turn our attentions to Russia:
Dick Advocaatβs side start their campaign against the Czech Republic in the opening dayβs later kick-off, at 7.45pm on Friday June 8. Next up is a clash against Poland four days later on Tuesday June 12 β once again this is an evening match β before Russia then square up to Euro 2004 winners Greece on Saturday June 16, at 7.45pm.
With no real stand-out side amongst the quartet, Fantasy managers will be hedging their bets over who to plump for. Greece cruised to the top of their qualifying group ahead of Croatia while remaining unbeaten over ten games, the Czech Republic qualified after defeating Montenegro 3-0 in a play-off, while Poland have tasted defeat just once in nine friendlies since last August, with draws against the likes of Germany and Portugal.
The Road to Qualification
Russia edged their group with Republic of Ireland by just two points, after winning seven and losing one of their ten matches β a 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia. Advocaatβs men were defensively strong, racking up seven clean sheets and conceding just one goal in their last seven matches. While a total of 17 goals suggests they were strong going forward, six of those came in the final match of the qualifying campaign at home to Andorra β Russia failed to score more than one goal on six of those occasions.
Most Appearances: Berezutsky & Arshavin (10), Ignashevich & Zyryanov (9), Anyukov, Zhirkov, Dzagoev & Shirokov (8)
Top Scorers: Dzagoev & Pavlyuchenko (4), Kerzhakov & Pogrebnyak (2)
Top Assists Anyukov (3)
The Likely Lads
With Russiaβs defensive resilience likely to pick up plenty Fantasy interest, Yuri Zhirkov is an option who also offers plenty going forward. Nailed-on at left-back, the former Chelsea man doesnβt come cheap at 6.0, but a look at his domestic stats with new club Anzi highlights his current form, with a goal and eight assists returned in 23 league games in 2011/12. Zhirkov will appeal to those with budget to spare, while 6.5 priced centre-half Sergei Ignashevich takes his fair share of free-kicks and is a real differential in comparison, with 1.9% owners compared to Zhirkovβs 21%.
Ruled out of CSKA Moscowβs season at the end of March with a broken toe, Alan Dzagoev has revealed he has returned to full training over the past couple of days, though is not yet 100%. With almost three weeks until their opening match, the 7.5 priced midfielder certainly has time on his side. Joint-top scorer in qualifying with four goals, in addition to providing two assists, the highly-rated 22 year old will play right of the Russia front three, making him an enticing out-of-position prospect for Fantasy managers. Despite the fact his season finished early, Dzagoev still managed six goals and 15 assists in 40 appearances for CSKA last term β a clear indication of his creative talents.
Andrei Arshavin seems to have recaptured some of his old sparkle since a loan move away from Arsenal in the winter transfer window. Producing a vital contribution in Zenitβs capture of the Russian domestic title, Arshavin looks to be approaching the tournament in good form, having notched in a friendly win over Denmark in late February. Coming in at 9.0, heβs the priciest option in Advocaatβs squad but offers corner kicks in addition to a share of free-kicks. The Russian skipper is a guaranteed starter under the Dutchman but, unlike Dzagoev, is classified as a forward, which may deter investment β at present, he has a mere 1.5% ownership. With a move away from the Emirates looking likely this summer, he has the perfect shop window to impress would-be suitors.
Many media outlets seem to favour Aleksandr Kerzhakov as the man most likely for the lone striker rule. He started the most recent friendly against Denmark and, with three more friendlies to follow – against Uruguay, Lithuania and Italy β we should be hopefully much the wiser prior to the opening match against the Czech Republic. Priced at 8.0, Kerzhakov is 0.5 more expensive than rivals Pavel Pogrebnyak and Roman Pavlyuchenko, and would clearly be too much of a risk if the possibility of rotation is on the cards. His qualifying program was blighted by injury, with just five appearances over the 10 games but Kerzhakov arrives on the back of an outstanding season, having returned 23 goals and 12 assists in the Russian top-flight for Zenit; a clear indication of his eye for goal, if given the opportunity.
Cheeky Punt
Igor Akinfeev may have missed four of Russiaβs games after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury last year but the CSKA skipper returned to action in April and is Advocaatβs automatic first-choice man between the sticks. Priced at 5.5, he is far from cheap for a keeper and may not appeal to those shopping around for cut-price rotation options but everything is relative here β Akinfeev is the least costly guaranteed starter in Russiaβs rearguard and is already seeing plenty of interest, with over 14% of Fantasy managers picking him up.
Priced at just 6.0, Roman Shirokov looks strong value in the midfield area. Playing as the furthest forward of the three, heβs already announced himself to Fantasy managers over the last few months, scoring five times for Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League. Although he grabbed just one goal in qualifying, Shirokov has netted in the last two matches, with goals in friendlies against Greece and Denmark, and offers a definite cheaper alternative route for Fantasy managers scouring the market for possible bargains.
