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An equaliser in injury time from Russia’s Denis Glushakov caught the English out in their first match of Euro 2016, forcing them to accept a draw.
REPORT: RUSSIA STUN ENGLAND WITH EQUALISER
Final score
England 1
Russia 1
Group B of UEFA Euro 2016 kicks off from the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles, as 1996 semi-finallists England play 2008 semi-finallists Russia. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:45am (AEST).
It’s been a long time since English football fans were collectively excited over their national team.
The so-called ‘Golden Generation’ has come and gone, and given way to a team of talented individuals who are viewed as icons for their respective Premier League clubs, but shorn of that identity when wearing the Three Lions badge.
That is the challenge for Roy Hodgson – with minimal expectation comes minimal hope.
In their favour lies one of the national side’s strongest ever striking contingents, if Premier League goalscoring records are to be trusted.
Form suggests Jamie Vardy should start at Marseilles alongside Harry Kane, but the role of Wayne Rooney may put paid to this fanciful notion. Rooney may occupy a deeper role than he is normally accustomed to, but it will nevertheless come at the expense of either Kane or Vardy.
Hodgson will look to his wide players to provide impetus, with Raheem Sterling and James Milner likely to roam down the flanks, while the supreme form of Dele Alli makes him a must alongside either his Spurs teammate Eric Dier or Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
It’s in defence where England’s worries lie. No international tournament can ever be won via a leaky back, and even with Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling, it’s a concerning state courtesy of the defensively neglectful Premier League.
Here is where Russia will feel most confident, especially if they win the midfield battle and keep England’s attackers quiet. Joe Hart will be required for heroics this tournament if England are to progress.
For Russia, matters are more simple. Like their opponents, their players largely ply their trade in the Russian Premier League, with Schalke defender Roman Neustädter the sole exception.
Yet the injection of Leonid Slutsky as head coach has overseen a smoother ride to qualification, despite last-up defeat and draw against the Czech Republic and Serbia respectively. But the Russians possess an experienced squad, especially in defence, where this match will likely be won and lost.
Their first-choice defence of Dmitri Kombarov, Sergei Ignashevich, and Vasili and Aleksei Berezutsky have more than 300 caps, and that is ignoring their long-serving goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
In midfield, the quartet of Aleksandr Samedov, Dmitri Torbinski, Denis Glushakov and Roman Shirokov will supplement the two upfront in Aleksandr Kokorin and Artem Dzyuba.
The Russians are battled hardened and obdurate, and the long preparation for the tournament should put to rest their infamous struggles with playing away fixtures.
Prediction
This match hinges on whether Russia’s defence can keep England’s forwards at bay, while exploiting the obvious weakness in England’s backline. A draw is a likely result, given these two factors.
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