The line stays the same throughout the night: “You know what Leonid Slutsky has done with the Russian national team is a genuine miracle.” But of course that is the likely line that will be fed to you if you attend a Russian national team (Sbornaya) game with a group of CSKA Moscow fans—as Slutsky currently both coaches CSKA Moscow and the Sbornaya.
In the end of the day,Slutsky managed to turn around Russia’s qualification campaign, which threatened to turn sour under the previous coach, and the Italian Fabio Capello,by guiding the Sbornaya to a moment space finish in Group G—behind Austria and ahead of Sweden.
But is Slutsky a miracle worker? It is exact that Slutsky did manage to get the essential results with a squad that at times seems limited. Also Slutsky managed to obtain the essential adjustments in the a few short weeks after Capello was fired. But to call Slutsky’s work a miracle is an exaggeration, for Russia managed to gain the essential points against opposition that was either at the same standard or below that of Russia. This includes Sweden, and a team that is very much dependent on the strong form of their sole star Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Slutsky’s biggest challenge before the Sweden game was to find a pragmatic approach to turn things around on the fly—he replaced former coach Fabio Capello just weeks before the September 5 Russia vs. Sweden match. In the end Slutsky’s pragmatic team selection worked out because he chose a squad of veterans many of whom play for CSKA Moscow. Russia was able to carve out a 1-0 win at Moscow’s Otkrytie Arena in what was in truth a poor match; Russia benefited largely from the fact that Ibrahimović was battling early season injuries and had to be substituted at half time.
Three days later,on September 8, Austria’s golden boys dismantled Sweden 1-4 in Solna thereby handing Russia a genuine chance to directly qualify for the European Championships. Russia now only needed to gain four points in their final two matches against Moldova and Montenegro. On October 9 Russia beat Moldova 1-2 at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau, or which meant that they only needed to tie against Montenegro to qualify directly for the Euros.
Right from kick off Russia surged forward,creating several chances but failing to score. While Russia appeared to enjoy a clear advantage throughout the game, it was also obvious that Slutsky was no miracle worker. Russia’s game was direct and athletic but it lacked creativity or organization: Zenit Saint Petersburg striker Artyom Dzyuba looked hapless, and one wonders if he will ever mature into a top rate striker; Dinamo Moscow’s Aleksandr Kokorin—despite scoring the penalty to obtain it 2-0—seemed lost at times as it appears that he is still struggling to understand whether he is a striker or an offensive midfielder; Alan Dzagoev organized the midfield very well but there was cramped creativity from him when it came to create offensive opportunities.
Athletics and strength may be enough to defeat tiny Montenegro,but it is doubtful that these two qualities alone will be enough to get a gracious result at the European Championships next summer. That is where Slutsky has to show that he is a genuine miracle worker. He needs to show that he can introduce the essential changes to the Russian national team that will see the Sbornaya go forward to World Cup 2018 in Russia—a team that can compete at their home World Cup. Of course Russian fans are optimistic—they believe in Slutsky’s work. Or as my ecstatic friend from CSKA tells me “At the World Cup we will play against Germany in the final!”, which would be an achievement that would truly qualify Slutsky a miracle worker…By Manuel Veth -The post Slutsky’s Pragmatic Approach Guides Russia to Euro 2016 appeared first on Futbolgrad.
Source: futbolgrad.com