Russia, hurt pride but Capello is in charge this time round

ThisDrinkingLife and The World Cup: Russia

With all the negative publicity that Russia is getting these days I fully expect the team to come out gunning to victory in their first match against Korea. Russian pride has taken a dent on the world stage, so nothing like a comprehensive victory on the field to settle matters. Christ they were even booed in the Euro-vision.

Still though I don’t see them getting a result against a very good Belgium team, and it will be all to play for then in the final game against the Algerians for Russia. They might just get out of this group, maybe a draw against Algeria will be enough for them to exit the group.

After that I can’t see them going further in the competition. Can they beat Germany or Portugal? I don’t think so. They are too static of a team for that.

Capello is in charge, and back again for another world cup adventure. The old maestro has nothing to prove with an illustrious club career, but last time out he was found wanting. But then the English sometimes can be an unmanageable bunch, maybe the Russian’s are more used to discipline and would be more eager to carry out Capello’s instructions. A wounded Capello, who wants to prove that he also can do international management, could easily get the Russians in the right frame of mind to cause an upset or two in this world cup.

As for the players, not one of the squad play outside of the Russian league. Is this a problem? The Russian league has improved but you would think this might be a handicap. No player with a major European club for a nation has big as Russia is not good.

key player is Yuri Zhirkov. who exploded on the scene with a good Euros in 2008 but since his move to Chelsea its been all downhill. At 30 he needs a good world cup to remind us all what we once saw, that initial skill and vision. A career wasted so far.