The World Cup 2018 is upon us and kicks off with hosts Russia taking on Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium.
How both sides approach the tournament’s curtain raiser will be intriguing as it could make or break their chances of advancing from Group A.
Here are a few tactical talking points ahead of the encounter.
Russia sticking with three at the back
Despite experimenting with a 4-1-4-1 system in their penultimate warm-up game against Austria, which ended in a 1-0 defeat, Stanislav Cherchesov is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation when his side face Saudi Arabia. It’s a system he has consistently used and reverted to in a 1-1 draw with Turkey last Tuesday.
Russia retain a flat back five without the ball but the wing-backs push up to flank the midfield in possession while one of the midfielders, usually Roman Zobnin, drops back to shield the back-line. The central defensive three is stretched as a result of the two outside centre-backs pulling wide to create passing options.
Stanislav Cherchesov
Saudi’s swift counter-attacks
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi scored 16 goals during Saudi’s qualifying campaign and was the joint-top scorer overall but a recent drought on the international stage has seen him lose his place to electric Al-Ittihad winger Fahad Al Muwallad.
The 23-year-old’s searing pace being deployed up front has sharpened the Green Falcons’ counter-attacking threat with experienced midfielder Taisir Al-Jassim pulling the strings in possession and looking to release Muwallad quickly.
Saudi look to absorb pressure and then use the flanks to counter-attack as well. Left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani consistently attempts to release pacey winger Salem Al-Dawsari with long balls down the left flank.
Going long to Smolov
Even if Russia enjoy a good share of possession against Saudi, it may not work in their favour. The hosts are known to be disjointed in possession and if the Middle East outfit can neutralise the creative influence of Alan Dzagoev and Aleksandr Golovin, Cherchesov’s side will find it difficult to pass their way through their opponents.
In such a scenario, Russia will resort to getting the ball wide to the wing-backs or one of the outside centre-backs and play long balls into the space down the flanks for lone striker Fyodor Smolov to chase down.
Fyodor Smolov
