RUS-ARG: Russia get ready for Argentina

Hello to all Russia fans. Sorry about the lengthy absence. As all of you know Russia will be taking on Argentina at the Lokomitiv Stadium in Moscow on August 12. The squad was announced a few days ago and I would just like to share a few thoughts.

I think Guus Hiddink choose a very usual lineup and is likely to use a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-1-3-1-1 formation.

The selection of Akinfeev and Gabulov is quite expected, however the omission of Malafeev may be a signal that Hiddink is looking for another goalkeeper. It is possible that Gabulov has stepped up to be No 2 and Hiddink is looking at possible candidates for the third spot.

The back line is as expected. Hiddink will probably use the four man defense consisting of Anyukov, Kolodin, Ignashevich, and Zhirkov. But it is possible that we may see one of the Berezutski twins or Yanbaev feature in the game. I think that Hiddink should begin looking for a candidate to replace the aging Ignashevich. Even though he still has a high level of performance his age will begin to show.

There are numerous possibilities for the midfield, Hiddink will likely want to attack. If a 4-4-1-1 formation is used Semshov and Zyrianov will partner in the center along with Bystrov and Denisov on the wings. If Hiddink decides to use a 4-1-3-1-1, Aldonin, Semak, or Semshov will play as defensive midfielders. Zyrianov will likely play as the central attacking midfielder with Bystrov and Denisov on the flanks. There might be an opportunity for Dzagoev to play in as an attacking midfielder or maybe even for Zhirkov to move up to one of the flanks.

The forward line will most likely feature Arshavin as a second striker and Kerzhakov as the target man. Hiddink is only taking four strikers to the Lokomotiv Stadium and Pavlyuchenko and Porgrebnyak are the only other candidates to partner with Arshavin. Hiddink may be looking at getting new strikers into the national team because Pogrebnyak and Pavlyuchenko are not up to their usual standards at the moment but it is possible that Sychev and Saenko will return in the near future.

Thats all I have to say for now. Look for another post with pre-game analysis and my prediction.

I look forward to your comments.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeyev (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Gabulov (Dynamo Moscow)

Defenders: Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Alexei Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Zhirkov (Chelsea), Denis Kolodin (Dynamo Moscow), Renat Yanbayev (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Anyukov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Midfielders: Igor Semshov (Zenit St Petersburg), Konstantin Zyryanov (Zenit St Petersburg), Igor Denisov (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergei Semak (Rubin Kazan), Vladimir Bystrov (Spartak Moscow), Yevgeny Aldonin (CSKA Moscow), Alan Dzagoyev (CSKA Moscow)

Forwards: Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexander Kerzhakov (Dynamo Moscow).

from reuters.com