In Russia, it is mainly looking forward to deep striker and captain Artyom Dzjoeba (32). His stats for the national team are impressive with 29 goals in 52 international matches.
“But if we zoom in on his figures, you immediately notice that he mainly scores against the smaller countries”, Wesley Sonck remarked subtly. “I don’t think he has scored five goals against real top countries.”
Gert Verheyen continued on Dzjoeba and the strength of the team based on some images of the Russians against the Belgians. “They almost always look for Dzuba as a cue point, after which he in turn looks for the third man.”
“Then the runners come over the sides to bring the ball again. He is also very dangerous with the long ball because of his length.”
“The cool thing about that match against the Belgians last year is that it was just the Belgians who managed to score that way. This way of playing is a point of attention, Roberto Martinez will certainly bring it up.”
How do you defend that? “You can cut the pass line to Dzhuba, you can try to win the duel or you can try to follow the running man and keep the ball. I would mainly choose the first and the third option.”
“If you have a profile like Dzhuba in your team, you automatically start playing on it. The problem is often that it becomes the only thing you still try. That applies to Russia. If that doesn’t work, then it will stay.” there’s really nothing left.”
