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3. Artem Dzyuba
Artem used his physicality to great effect today and was the focal point of all the attacking moves that Russia started today. He was the target-man, someone who would collect the crosses coming from the wings. Dzyuba was tenacious too, often dropping back to get involved in pressing and defending as a unit.
He was able to get at the end of the passes with some smart runs behind the midfielders and used his strong physique to hold up the Spaniards. After holding up the play, he calmly distributed the ball to the onrushing forwards or wingers, and then joined in the attacks too.
He was an absolute beast in the air, winning a whopping 13 aerial duels, something that facilitated and complemented Russia’s tendency to play long aerial balls once they recovered possession of the ball. Dzyuba was always involved in the defensive moves too, dropping deep in order to disallow the Spaniards from gaining any advantage through the corner-kicks or the set pieces.
He dominated in the air, used his brute strength to gain an advantage over the others on the field and displayed a whole lot of commitment and determination on the field to break off the opposing moves, whilst also keeping his composure and patience in possession of the ball.
