LILLE, France — Fresh from holding England in Marseille in its Euro 2016 Group B opener, Russia faces Slovakia in Lille Wednesday knowing a win would all but secure progression to the last 16.
Russia’s opening game Saturday was overshadowed by fan trouble. But on the pitch in Marseille there was a happy ending for Leonid Slutsky’s side as captain Vasili Berezutski’s stoppage-time equalizer saw it earn a 1-1 draw against the Group B favorite.
That also means a victory at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, a day before England faces Wales just along the road, would pile pressure on Roy Hodgson’s men in particular.
“I am not a savior and one point does not really mean that much,” Berezutski told UEFA.com, playing down the significance of his goal before Slutsky’s side travelled to the northern city of Lille to face the Slovakians.
Russia saw key midfield duo Igor Denisov and Alan Dzagoev withdraw from their squad due to injury before the tournament, while back-up goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin missed training Tuesday.
Meanwhile midfielder Denis Glushakov, who was used from the bench against England, could come into the Russian starting line-up providing he shakes off a calf strain.
For Slovakia there is even greater urgency in its search for a first European Championship Finals win after it conceded late on to lose 2-1 against Wales in their opener Saturday.
Pogba and Griezmann ready
Albania is unlikely to pose much of a threat to France but Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann will be expected to produce sharper performances in Wednesday’s Group A match when victory should assure the host a last 16 spot in Euro 2016.
Midfielder Pogba and striker Griezmann were both lackluster in France’s opening 2-1 win over Romania, a result that was salvaged thanks to Dimitri Payet’s stunning 89th minute strike.
Victory against Albania in Marseille would put France on six points from two games with its place in the knockout phase all but guaranteed.
A long season with Atletico Madrid appears to have taken a toll on Griezmann. The 25-year-old played more than 50 official matches and was on club duty till May 28, when Atletico was beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Pogba has struggled to recreate the impact he has with Juventus and coach Didier Deschamps said after the Romania game that he expected “much more” from the gifted midfielder.
Romania’s selection dilemma
Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu must decide whether veteran left back Razvan Rat can repel the danger of Xherdan Shaqiri in what could be the defining confrontation of his team’s Euro 2016 clash with Switzerland Wednesday.
The Romanians were crestfallen to lose 2-1 to France Friday.
But Rat’s form will surely be a concern. The 35-year-old recently returned from a shoulder injury and struggled to cope with the exuberance and trickery of Frenchmen. Shaqiri, with 17 international goals in 54 appearances, boasts similar qualities and will fancy testing Rat’s possible shortcomings.
Should Iordanescu, in his third stint in charge of the national team, opt to drop Rat, he could select 22-year-old Steliano Filip.
Other selection dilemmas include whether to persist with young striker Florin Andone, second-top scorer in Spain’s second division this season, or instead start with Denis Alibec, a substitute at Stade de France.
The Swiss line-up is likely to differ little against Romania, with coach Vladimir Petkovic preferring a settled team.
