Russia wins from penalty before Euro debut

Russia defeated Bulgaria today by the minimum and with a penalty (1-0) a week after their debut in the Eurocup against Belgium. Despite winning, Stanislav Cherchesov’s team proved that it costs them a world to create scoring chances.

The insistence on starting all the attacking plays through the center and with long passes to the giant Dzyuba did not pay off. So it is very difficult to surprise opposing defenses. Surely Roberto Martínez, the Belgian coach, has taken note.

The entry of Alexéi Miranchuk, Atalanta’s fine midfielder, changed the game. Upon entering the area with less than ten minutes to go, he was knocked down and the penalty certified the local victory.

Kudriashov is injured in the warm-up

The bad news occurred minutes before the game, as center-back Fyodor Kudriashov (Antalyaspor), who should start today, was injured in the warm-up and will almost certainly miss the European Championship.

Cherchesov decided to change the scheme and play with four defenders after playing with five against Poland. The veteran Zhirkov returned to the left back, Miranchuk gave up his position as inside to the rocky Zobnin and Dzyuba was again the only beacon of the team in attack.

In fact, the game started with a good chance from Spartak Moscow midfielder Zobnin, who after receiving a good pass from Zenit’s Russian striker fired slightly over the crossbar.

Bulgaria only finishes once

Earlier, the Bulgarians, in their only shot between the three sticks, were about to surprise Shunin with a shot from Tsvetanov.

The locals, who dominated the game from the opening whistle, were much looser than in the draw a week ago against the Poles (1-1).

The entire attack game went through Dzyuba’s head or boots, who took advantage of his corpulence to open holes for his teammates.

Bulgaria, who will not play the European Championship, is a team in transition with hardly any prominent names. He had no qualms about completely giving up possession to the Russians and clearly betting on the counterattack.

Zobnin, the most active

Zobnin, the most active player in the first half, was able to open the scoring after another good loan from Dzyuba, but his shot from the heart of the large area went to the hands of the visiting goalkeeper.

Golovín, who plays for Monaco, had in his boots the best opportunity at the end of the break after a play in which he made several walls to enter the area and when he tried to shoot the defender was on top of him.

The Russian forward hardly disturbed the visiting defense until midway through the second half. The first clear chance did not come until after twenty minutes through Dzhikiya at the exit of a corner.

Georgiev’s stop

Georgiev made the afternoon stoppage in the 72nd minute by clearing with one hand over the goal line a Zhirkov shot that sneaked into the goal.

The Russians made changes and went for victory in the last quarter of an hour. Among the changes, the entry of Mario Fernandes stood out, who was between cottons the last two weeks due to some discomfort in the groin.

The match was decided by Miranchuk, who was knocked down as he entered the large area. The penalty was transformed by tricking the goalkeeper by Spartak striker Sóbolev. (min.84)

The Russians will make their European debut on June 12 against Hazard and De Bruyne’s Belgium, which will be played in Saint Petersburg.

Bulgaria will also serve as sparring team on June 8 for the big favorite to victory in the European Championship, Mbappé’s France.

–