After three disastrous years, shadowed by the extremely costly Italian coach and successive disputes with several players, and in danger of failing to qualify after a home defeat to Austria (who would win the group), Fabio Capello was replaced in office by Leonid Slutsky, that accumulated the position with the CSKA coaching job. Since then, Russia won all the qualifying matches ensuring the presence in the Euro with a second place in group G.
Picking only players from the Russian League, Slutsky managed to create a cohesive and united group, with great solidarity within the pitch. And this spirit is needed to help mask the weaknesses of this group, namely the lack of speed of its centre-backs. With a cumulative 69 years, Berezutski and Ignashevich will have some difficulties against faster forwards, which will force the middle of the park to work constantly and pressuring the carrier to try to hinder passes.
The injury to Dzagoev, perhaps their biggest star, was a blow to the Russian hopes, and it adds increased offensive responsibilities for Shatov and Kokorin, who are the most looked for during offensive transitions and in creativity areas, always aiming to serve the duo up front.
Either playing the genial Shirokov in the hole or with the top-scorer in the Russian League, Smolov (29J, 20G), by his side, indisputable is Dzyuba, the giant, which arrives at Euro2016 after a great individual season with 15 goals scored in 30 games.
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