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I'm from Ekaterinburg and I'm very glad to see guests from Egypt and Uruguay. I hope the weather (+ 17C, short rains) will not spoil the impression of our city and football. I think Uruguay will win, but I hope for a great football from both teams. See you at the stadium!
It's a Uruguay win or a draw, if Egypt frustrates them. Egypt will basically be Uruguay in this game. Most likely the worst game of the first round.
He's one report: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/444083211 "I can almost assure you 100% he will play, save unforeseen circumstances at the very last minute," said Cuper.
Serbia, even though they have talented players are bound to at least have one dreaful game, my pick for the first round is Serbia-Switzerland Going for a 1-1 for the second Group A game.
Given Russia's margin of victory today, the pressure is really ramped up on Egypt now. I believe that they will have to commit to playing Salah, even if he is not 100% fit.
3:0 Uruguay. They will want to cut down Russia's goal difference. I doubt Egypt has what it takes to frustrate them. However, Suarez doing stupidities, and VAR, may not match up well...
I think one thing people seem to forget about Egypt's preparation (as well as that of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco and to some extent Nigeria and Senegal) and their performance in friendlies that Eid Al Fitr started yesterday. So today is the Muslim world's biggest holiday. That also means that Egyptian (and Moroccan) players won't be playing hungry, like they did in friendlies leading up to the World Cup. Not the ideal prep for World Cup - fasting during the entire camp. But that does mean we should see a more energetic display from Egypt than during friendlies. I'm also wondering what impact playing the World Cup on your holiest day of the year will have on Muslims? Will it distract them or motivate them even more?
Gutted to see Salah starting on the bench in the first game in Egypt's first World Cup in 28 years on his birthday!
Maybe they want to make sure he's well and rested for the Russia game... makes sense, as that will be the big crunch match
to be honest that's a smart move from Cuper because they know they're underdogs against Uruguay and they'll put a defensive formation in, trying to concede as few goals as possible. Salah will be saved for the games that Egypt has chance of winning which, given Russia's slaughter of SA, have become even more important for Egypt. Again, I think Egypt will play defensively throughout the entire game, and if score gets 2-0, or 3-0 fast they will bring Salah on to limit the proportions of the ever so important goal differential after Russia's game. But even if Uruguay wins 1-0 I think Egypt will be happy with the result, so even at 1-0 don't expect the Pharaos to go out attacking cause it's not gonna happen. Besides, I've watched Egypt play under Cuper's reign and they're a very atypical African country. Their style of play resembles Europe's, more robust and cerebral, and with such a good coach at their lead Egypt will be hella hard to defeat, especially since they'll play defensively. I hope I'm wrong and that we won't watch a chess play between Cuper and Tabarez, but to me this is what this game looks like as it stands.
Good luck to Egypt. A draw would be a great result today especially given Saudi Arabia's shape. Egypt has always been a very good tournament team so I hope that will hold true in this WC despite the situation with Salah.