The interesting difference between Russia and Slovakia is that one team earned experience from the 2010 FIFA World in South Africa while the other surprisingly missed out on the event at the expense of Slovenia. On this note, the tempo and atmosphere during the Russia vs Slovakia promises to be uniquely exciting.
Tuesday’s hosts currently have the advantage in terms of Group B’s standings but analysis explain that the visitors will definitely not enter the match as underdogs. Russia were actually wasteful against Andorra, with Arshavin and Semshov both missing good chances to widen the margin.
Anyways, Pavel Pogrebnyak’s brace proved enough to help Russia occupy the top spot in the table. Still, Coach Dick Advocaat is aware that his side will need to improve on match-day two of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign if they want to secure maximum points before the qualifiers resume in October. The manager, who is already dreaming about the finals of Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, explained:
“We started well by getting a victory [against Andorra]. 
But, we will have to play better against Slovakia. I think that we’re capable of qualifying.”
Meanwhile, Slovakia are also up to the challenge. After stealing three points away from Macedonia, the 2010 FIFA World participants want to keep moving in the right direction and thus prevent the Stadion Lokomotiv from hindering their way. Coach Vladimir Weiss, who successfully led Slovakia to stun Italy in South Africa, stated:
“I’m going to make changes to the squad. We can’t just go to Russia and play to defend. Of course, our win on match-day one in Bratislava will help us to be stronger mentally.”
Russia vs Slovakia is scheduled to start at 11:00am EST on Tuesday, September 7. When the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign resumes in October, Russia will play away to Republic of Ireland on match-day three as Slovakia will pay a visit to Armenia.
