The silent conductor in Russian orchestra

Not for the first time, an air of dissatisfaction hangs over Russia.

They may have qualified for a major tournament at the top of their group for the first time, but there remains a sense that this team isn’t as good as it used to be and that a repeat of the heights of Euro 2008 is beyond them. Yet there is potential and a goal difference of 17-4 in 10 qualifying games suggests that, for all they seemed to lurch from one under-whelming performance to another, once they’d lost that early game at home to Slovakia, they found a way of getting the job done efficiently enough.

This is a side that has been together a long time. If Alexei Berezutsky replaces his injured brother Vassily at centre-back, all of the likely first XI apart from Alan Dzagoev either played at Euro 2008 or would have done but for injury or withdrawal. Six of the likely starting outfielders play for Zenit St Petersburg which means they should have a greater mutual understanding than just about any other side at the European Championships.