Euro: Group B: Russia vs. Belgium, 6/12/2021

[Live in the Now]

This game is in St. Petersburg. Russia is technically banned from the next World Cup due to doping history, but if that actually happens or not is anyone's guess. With that being the case obviously the players should be motivated to do well in this tournament given they may not play in another one for some time. They also have some good players who didn't feature in the last World Cup. I like Miranchuk for one. And Sobolev is a powerhouse in the air.

Belgium is obviously in the position of being on the road, and there's only two times in the first round of group games where the favorite in a group is on the road. France is the other and they play in Germany. This format is absolutely absurd and stupid. Belgium is the better team but I don't think it's going to be easy to predict when and how the conditions of the game are going to have an impact.

Click to read more...

 

[Power Man]

If Hazard scores a hat trick I'm gonna be mad lol

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

If Hazard scores a hat trick I'm gonna be mad lol

What’s a hazard hatrick? Burger before the game, injury in the 30min mark and?

 

[Power Man]

What’s a hazard hatrick? Burger before the game, injury in the 30min mark and?

haha

 

[robertmac43]

No KDB tomorrow. Belgium ain't going far if he is out for a long period of time.

 

[Savi]

What’s a hazard hatrick? Burger before the game, injury in the 30min mark and?

Joking and laughing with opposing players after losing the game?

I think if we have the same focus as in the Croatia game last week, we should win this comfortably. Still about 4 question marks heading into the game. The central CB position will be either Denayer or Vermaelen. The RWB will probably be Castagne, I think he's outplayed Meunier. The LWB will be either T.Hazard or Chadli. Carrasco and Lukaku are locks up front but who will join them, Mertens or Doku? From an experience standpoint, probably Mertens.

 

[simon IC]

I think Belgium will take this one.

 

[S E P H]

I think Belgium will take this one.

Russia is probably the biggest choker in the world after Nigeria and some other African nations. Russia is going to struggle a lot even though they probably finish third, their players throughout Europe has fallen to probably the lowest point I've ever seen it. There is not even one Ruskie currently playing in the EPL, zero in BuLi, only one in Ligue 1, and two in Serie A.

 

[Savi]

Russia is probably the biggest choker in the world after Nigeria and some other African nations. Russia is going to struggle a lot even though they probably finish third, their players throughout Europe has fallen to probably the lowest point I've ever seen it. There is not even one Ruskie currently playing in the EPL, zero in BuLi, only one in Ligue 1, and two in Serie A.

Hasn't it always been like that though? When they were so good at Euro 2008 almost their entire squad played at Zenit, CSKA or one of the other Moscow clubs. None in the big leagues.

 

[Live in the Now]

Arshavin was on some good shit in 2008 too. I remember almost everyone on this forum commented on it during the Netherlands game. That guy was running faster and harder than any football player in history. I think most dope but he was on something extra.

 

[Savi]

They really did have a top squad back then. I think Zenit also won the Europa in the same year, and a couple years prior CSKA as well.

 

[cgf]

Russia is probably the biggest choker in the world after Nigeria and some other African nations. Russia is going to struggle a lot even though they probably finish third, their players throughout Europe has fallen to probably the lowest point I've ever seen it. There is not even one Ruskie currently playing in the EPL, zero in BuLi, only one in Ligue 1, and two in Serie A.

Nah, that's poland ;-)

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

We saw in 2018 that Russia can really surprise people playing at home, but I think Belgium wins this one. I'll say 2-1 - Vertonghen from a corner, then Artem Dzuyba, then Lukaku.

 

[ViD]

Russia is probably the biggest choker in the world after Nigeria and some other African nations. Russia is going to struggle a lot even though they probably finish third, their players throughout Europe has fallen to probably the lowest point I've ever seen it. There is not even one Ruskie currently playing in the EPL, zero in BuLi, only one in Ligue 1, and two in Serie A.

That’s not because they’re not good enough to play in Europe, but because they’re paid a lot playing home, Russia qualifies for almost every major tournament and made it to the top 8 in the last World Cup.

Belgium, however, is statistically the hardest opponent for Russia in the recent years, we just can’t handle their offense.

That said, the home crowd, the absence of KDB and Hazard should give Russia a chance to get points.

 

[NyQuil]

I think Russia pulls off the shock home draw.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Man imagine Lukaku, he has to come in play after the Eriksen injury.

 

[Blender]

Eden Hazard not even starting.

 

[NyQuil]

Eden Hazard not even starting.

He wasn't expected to play in the opener on the basis of his match fitness alone, no?

Right alongside De Bruyne on the injured list is another member of Belgium’s highly touted “golden generation,” winger Eden Hazard, who is working his way back to something resembling full fitness following a nightmarish, injury-riddled season at Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old isn’t expected to start against Russia, just as he didn’t during Belgium’s pre-EURO 2020 friendlies. Even once he reaches full fitness, there’s a strong case to be made that Hazard isn’t currently one of Martinez’s 11 best players and he should remain an impact substitute when Belgium heads into the knockout rounds.

Belgium star De Bruyne ruled out of EURO 2020 opener; Hazard update

 

[S E P H]

Why the eff is Belgium playing a back line of five against Russia?

Hasn't it always been like that though? When they were so good at Euro 2008 almost their entire squad played at Zenit, CSKA or one of the other Moscow clubs. None in the big leagues.

Maybe I was wrong in terms of players being mercenaries throughout Europe since Russia has always been closed off to the Western Flank. However, it seems to me that a lot of hype has died down from their prospects and players. When was the last time we heard of the next Alexander Golovin, Akinfeev, or Dzagoev coming from the country in the past 3-5 years? I see that their squad is quite young and seems a passing of the torch, but I admit I know almost nothing (like 75%) of this squad at the Euros.

Nah, that's poland ;-)

*Sees last world cup results*, definitely do not disagree.

 

[cgf]

View attachment 446338

Eden Hazard not even starting.

Don't think that's how Russia will actually lineup. I'm expecting Barinov in the back 3; with Zobnin in the midfield alongside Ozdoev; as Zhirkov & Fernandes push up on the wings.


And Belgium have the better Hazard anyway

 

[KrejciMVP]

big test for Russia off that bat

 

[cgf]

Why the eff is Belgium playing a back line of five against Russia?


Maybe I was wrong in terms of players being mercenaries throughout Europe since Russia has always been closed off to the Western Flank. However, it seems to me that a lot of hype has died down from their prospects and players. When was the last time we heard of the next Alexander Golovin, Akinfeev, or Dzagoev coming from the country in the past 3-5 years? I see that their squad is quite young and seems a passing of the torch, but I admit I know almost nothing (like 75%) of this squad at the Euros.


*Sees last world cup results*, definitely do not disagree.

Russia had a domestic player rule for a long time that inflate the salaries of young russian talents above what anyone in bigger leagues would pay...which kept a lot of young russians in russia, at clubs that they weren't ready to actually contribute much for. Not sure that rule is still in place, but the pattern of overpaying russian talents early hasn't changed.

...though you've still got occasional guys like Golovin & Miranchuk, who were simply too good not to go abroad; like Arshavin did & Dzagoev should've.

 

[Static]

De Bruyne has a chance of playing in this tournament? Didn't he just break an orbital bone?

 

[Static]

Why the hell are they showing the Denmark match again? Wait, are they resuming play?

 

[Savi]

De Bruyne has a chance of playing in this tournament? Didn't he just break an orbital bone?

He'll get a protective mask, it's safe to play that way

Also, no we're not playing a back five, it's the usual 3-4-3. Boyata playing doesn't make sense though when you have Denayer and Vermaelen