https://footballfutbolcalciosoccer.blogspot.com/2016/06/euro-2016-preview-group-b-england.html In a group which doesn't have a team I think will truly dominate, every game could be pivotal. A good start is important for all the teams... I have a feeling this will be a draw. The English come into this tournament hyped as this bright young team and they do have some bright talents. Kane/Vardy/Sturridge come in as strikers in top form, but their goals have a lot to do with the creative midfield play of Eriksen/Mahrez/Coutinho. The roles of Alli/Barkley/Lallana will be key as the creative midfielders. The Russians are an aging side missing key midfield pieces (Dzagoev/Denisov), but I look forward to seeing Kokorin/Dzyuba as an interesting striking duo.
I haven't been paying attention to England, but have they figured out a formation to play Vardy and Kane together? If they figure that out, they could have the best striker partnership in the tournament.
Hodgson tried playing them together with Vardy on the wing, but it failed pretty badly. It looks like Vardy will be on the bench. Which is a shame because I think he is their best striker.
Come on England, we can do it! With the squad we have, we look like we have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage! All it takes is communication, mentality and workrate and we can get off to a good start and build on the good start!
This is a very savvy Russia team against a bunch of young guns. Will not be surprised if England start bright and get pegged back a goal on sloppy defending then forced to overcome a veteran team. Hope for the best. No faith in Rooney. Would rather see 442 with vardy and Kane.
Russia's first chance on a set piece stings harts palms on a strong header. England sure could use a lethal finisher right now. Sterling best of class so far.
If this formation is how Hodgson wants to play that will generally be a problem for England at this tournament. Basically the only thing they can do is cut through the opponent with pace and that is just so much harder against continental European teams than English clubs.
England look good, especially sterling, Alli, and Lallana. Would like to see Vardy or Sturridge later in the second half. This games got some goals in it.
Kinda seems to a hype at this tournament, maybe because Germany won the WC that way. The French were playing 4-3-3 with three box-2-box midfielders and were equally disjointed. Really need a playmaker like Pirlo, Modric, Kroos, etc. in the mix for that to work. To be fair, with a fully fit Sturridge on England would be up by at least 2 goals by now though.