There is no doubt that Russia’s World Cup qualifying campaign was something special. Even though the Sbornaya were tipped to qualify, but finishing ahead of Portugal was a real statement of intent from Capello’s men.
Capello’s qualifying record suggests that he is the correct man for the job, as his side sailed through qualification with relative ease, topping a group containing tournament favourites Portugal. Even though Russia have a tough path ahead of them, they are definitely a side worth of keeping an eye on. Here are five reasons why this Russian side are an interesting quantity.
1. Domestic-based squad- The fact that all 23 members of the squad based are domestic based players makes the side gel together much better. Especially when 15 out of the 23 players ply their trade in Dynamo Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg, and CSKA Moscow. We’ve previously seen how domestic-based squads fared in the World Cup, with Italy in 2006 and Spain in 2010 being recent examples.
2. Players are not fatigued- Selecting a squad of Russian Premier League players comes with one major merit. The factor that gives the Russians an advantage is that fatigue will never be an issue as the Russian Premier League season runs from March to November. Usually, players enter the World Cup coming off the end of a lingering season, however the Russians should be fully ready for Brazil.
3. Blend of experience and youth- The Sbornaya have a young side but also have several figures of experience which is needed at the world stage. For example, key offensive figures include CSKA Moscow playmaker Alan Dzagoev, experienced striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov and young forward Aleksandr Kokorin who has burst onto the international side over the past two years.
Kokorin may lack experience but Kerzhakov and Dzagoev have plenty of it. The latter was Russia’s standout performer at Euro 2012, while Kerzhakov has plied his trade La Liga with Sevilla in addition to being present in 2002 when Russia last made a World Cup appearance.
4. Capello has a point to prove- In Fabio Capello, Russia have one of the best at reading matches and tailoring his side accordingly. A great example would be when he masterminded a thrashing of Johan Cryuff’s Barcelona in the 1994 European Cup Final when coach of AC Milan.
Believe it or not however, Capello will begin the 2014 World Cup campaign looking to prove that his relative failure in charge of England was a minor blip in an otherwise glittering career. The excruciating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany in 2010 put Capello under scathing criticism from the English media. Capello will have definitely gained some experience himself from that England stint, but above all he will have a point to prove at international level both to the media and to the Russian people to justify his mammoth salary.
