Euro 2016: England vs Russia preview - Can the Three Lions shutdown big-talking Russians?

Ahead of the big match of Group B, Russian danger man Artem Dzyuba taunted England suggesting that they were the ‘weakest of the top seeds’. He had said: “They are still a very good team and we are expecting a tough game, but if you look at the other top seeds it could have been a lot worse for us.”

While Dzyuba’s comments can be put down to the great ceremony of pre-match mind-games, there’s no denying that England has an international force simply doesn’t strike terror into anyone. All talk of the Golden Generation ended years ago, and the team is seen less as a lion and more like a dithering, unsteady elephant there for the taking.

So as England look likely to face off against Russia, we run the rule over both teams.

The Big Boys of Group B

Getty Images

England and Russia are the big beasts of Group B and, though each would love a winning start when they meet on Saturday, the fear of losing could well become all-pervading and lead to a cagey encounter. With games against Wales and Slovakia to come, and the potential for three teams to qualify with two guaranteed, a point at the Velodrome might look a very useful result in a couple of weeks. England, on the back of winning all 10 qualifiers, not to mention a rare victory in Germany in a friendly, start favourites and will expect to make the running in front of a 60,000 crowd that will be predominantly behind them.

However, despite that great run of form, England are anything but a settled side as Roy Hodgson struggles with the question of how to shoe-horn his form players into an established system. Strikers Jamie Vardy, fresh from leading Leicester City to the most unlikely Premier League title, and Harry Kane, the Premier League's top scorer, seemingly demand selection. But Hodgson is adamant Wayne Rooney, the captain and most experienced squad member, should get a starting berth, leaving the coach experimenting with his attacking options right up to the last minute.

At least he is picking from strength in that regard as his, and England's more pressing concern is in central defence where any combination of Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and John Stones has looked vulnerable and remains England's Achilles heel.

Match Timing: 12:30 AM, 12 June IST

Where to watch in India: Sony ESPN, Sony Six and livestreaming. Click here for more info. 

Possible Starting XI

England: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Lallana, Dier, Alli; Rooney; Kane, Sterling.

Russia: Akinfeev; Smolnikov, Vasili Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Golovin, Neustadter; Smolov, Shatov, Kokorin; Dzyuba.

Manager Talk

Roy Hodgson

​Roy Hodgson (Getty Images) 

Ahead of the big game, Roy Hogdgon, England’s avuncular coach appeared in good spirits about his young squad

“We've got qualities, there is no doubt about that – the fact we are so inexperienced in age and number of caps can't possibly be seen as an advantage, but the lack of experience we have in the team is counteracted in some way by the youth, energy and enthusiasm of a group of players keen to do well. We've only three players who've survived since EURO 2012.

There is definitely a selection headache in terms of so many good players who could quite easily command a place in the team. I’m pleased with the headaches and that having gone through three matches and some intensive training we still have all our players available. We know we have a team who, if they perform to the level we think they can perform to, will make it difficult for our opponents.

We have a lot of respect for Russia. We think they are a very good team, a very experienced team with lot of players who've played together a long time at CSKA and Zenit.”

Leonid Slutsky

Leonid Slutsky (Getty Images) 

If we knew the English team today, it would be a bit easier for us. Therefore, we are using the same logic in our preparations by naming the starting line-up as late as possible.

There is always a debate between youth and experience. It is impossible to say which is better and we have had this discussion on a number of occasions. We will also have a lot of players who will be experiencing a major tournament for the first time.

I don't think it would be correct to say whether this is the most important match of my career. I know there is a lot of responsibility with the whole country watching and I would like us to play good football tomorrow and for them to get the result they want.

Team News

England: No one on the injury table

Russia:  Glushakov (muscle strain), Torbinski (virus) and are doubtful

Player Talk

Artem Dzyuba taunts England

Artem Dzyuba (Getty Images) 

Ahead of the match, Russian danger man suggested that England just aren’t the team to worry about and the preferred top seed.

“They are still a very good team and we are expecting a tough game, but if you look at the other top seeds it could have been a lot worse for us. On paper England are probably what you would call the favourites, but I think what we have is a very evenly balanced group. Every single nation in the group should believe they have a chance of progressing - because they really do. There is not one team in the group who you can say are far superior quality to anybody else. It is a good thing for us to start with England. Like I say on paper they are the favourites, with a lot of big name players, and if we can start with a win against them it will give us a lot of encouragement for the rest of the tournament.

A draw would not be a bad result for Russia, but we also know the importance of winning the opening game. We have the quality and belief to beat England, and that is what we will be playing for.

Wayne Rooney

Meanwhile England captain Wayne Rooney stated that the younger lads could play without fear.  

You can play without fear, naturally, younger lads do that. I did it when I broke into the team in 2003 but it's more of a case of the manager, coaching staff and me telling the players how good they are. We have a really talented group of players and we need them to believe that themselves, that they're good enough to go out there and do it. You can see the confidence and ambition and desire in the players, and that's great.
 

And he lashed out at a journalist who told him that Russians didn’t fear him anymore.

Everyone who watches football is entitled to opinions. I know the qualities I have and I don't have to sit here and defend myself. I've played this game for a lot of years and I'm aware that my game has changed slightly, in my opinion, for the better. "I've played in midfield for the last few months at United, and it's a natural way of football. I feel with my football intelligence, I can play there and further my career there as well.
 

The STATISTICS

England have not lost in 90 or 120 minutes in 22 Euro matches in finals and qualifiers, going back to a 3-2 defeat by Croatia in November 2007. The impressive statistics are skewed, however, as they lost on penalties to Italy in the 2012 quarter-finals and failed to qualify in 2008.  Russia reached the semi-finals that year with a side full of passion and pace but they were disappointing in 2012 and in the 2014 World Cup and the current crop are not a group to have fans on the edge of their seats.

They are, however, a well-organised and technically adept squad and coach Leonid Slutsky has quickly developed a strong team spirit since taking over from Fabio Capello last August.
He has, however, been forced to change his plans somewhat after injuries ruled midfielders Alan Dzagoev and, after last week's 1-1 draw with Serbia, Igor Denisov out of the tournament.
With that to deal with and winnable games on the horizon, Russia are unlikely to take too many risks on Saturday, leaving it up to England to decide whether to open up in all-out pursuit of victory or indulge in 90 minutes of cautious chess.

Prediction: England 1-1 Russia

With inputs from Reuters