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TEAM NEWS: Dudka brought in for Rybus to add steel to Poland's midfield
Jun 12, 2012 6:49:00 PM
Franciszek Smuda is fully aware of the attacking threat of Russia as his side host the group leaders needing a win to keep alive their Euro 2012 hopes
Franciszek Smuda has fielded a more defensive set-up for their second Group A match against Russia, with Dariusz Dudka preferred to Maciej Rybus. Dick Advocaat's side, meanwhile, remains unchanged following their emphatic 4-1 victory over Czech Republic.As expected, Przemyslaw Tyton deputises in place of the suspended Wojciech Szczesny, after the Arsenal stopper was sent off in the opening game of Euro 2012. Tyton's first duty against Greece was to save Giorgos Karangounis' spot-kick earning his side a vital point and the PSV man has been given the nod against Russia.
And after witnessing Russia dismantle Czech Republic in their first game Smuda has called upon the more defensive Dariusz Dudka in place of wide player Maciej Rybus. The change in personnel is expected to see Ludovic Obraniak push further up the field with Dudka slipping into a three man midfield alongside Eugen Polanski and Rafael Murawski.
Dick Advocaat, meanwhile, has no selection dilemmas as the Russia coach has kept faith with the same side that destroyed Czech Republic 4-1 in match day one, meaning that Aleksandr Kerzakhov retains his place despite missing a number of chances in the opening fixture. A victory for Russia against the tournament co-hosts will secure a quarter-final birth for the second consecutive European championships.
Poland (4-3-3): Tyton; Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch; Murawski, Polanski, Dudka; Blaszczykowski, Lewandowski, Obraniak.
Substitutes: Sandomierski, Wojkowiak, Kaminski, Wawrzyniak, Rybus, Matuszczyk, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Sobiech, Brozek.
Russia (4-3-3): Malafeev; Anyukov, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Zhirkov; Shirokov, Denisov, Zyranov; Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin.
Substitutes: Akinfeev, Shunin, Sharonov, Granat, Nababkin, Izmailov, Kombarov, Kokorin.
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
8:55 PM BST
Franz Beckenbauer is never one to mince his words and he's been disappointed - yet not in the least bit surprised - by Arjen Robben's finishing tonight.
"It just seems like Arjen Robben can't score in decicive matches," the legendary libero told Sky Germany during the break.
"It just seems like Arjen Robben can't score in decicive matches," the legendary libero told Sky Germany during the break.
8:53 PM BST
The latest from the Bayern bench is that centre-half Jerome Boateng is struggling with a slightly bruised thigh. He's keen to play on, but that's obviously one to watch. Should he be forced off, one imagines Van Buyten will come on in his place.
8:49 PM BST
The second half is just under way, but just to give you the thoughts of three-time World Referee Of The Year Markus Merk, who is working the game for Sky Germany tonight. He feels that Ribery's elbow on Lewandowski during the first half could easily have been construed as deliberate by match official Nicola Rizzoli.
"Ribery was very lucky," he argued. "If the referee judges this as an intentional act, he can easily give a red card. I cannot understand why a player like Franck Ribery behaves like this in a Champions League final."
"Ribery was very lucky," he argued. "If the referee judges this as an intentional act, he can easily give a red card. I cannot understand why a player like Franck Ribery behaves like this in a Champions League final."
8:43 PM BST
Jay Jaffa is watching the game surrounded by German fans and he's picked up what he has described himself as a tremendously "precise" prediction from one supporter.
"We've had boos, moans and groans throughout the half from fans unhappy with Bayern's resurgence. The loudest cheers of all have been saved for Roman Weidenfeller though, after two exceptional saves from Arjen Robben. There's no doubt, in this pub at least, that the support lies with Dortmund and a friendly chap named Andreas believes BVB will come out on top, insisting: 'We will get stronger as the game goes on and Lewandowski will score in the final 10 minutes.' About as precise a prediction as you can get!"
"We've had boos, moans and groans throughout the half from fans unhappy with Bayern's resurgence. The loudest cheers of all have been saved for Roman Weidenfeller though, after two exceptional saves from Arjen Robben. There's no doubt, in this pub at least, that the support lies with Dortmund and a friendly chap named Andreas believes BVB will come out on top, insisting: 'We will get stronger as the game goes on and Lewandowski will score in the final 10 minutes.' About as precise a prediction as you can get!"
8:40 PM BST
Bayern have really come into the game and have had some great chances, but, for my money, Dortmund shaded that opening 45 minutes. They also shaded the poll Goal ran on Facebook earlier. We asked you who would win at Wembley tonight and 55 per cent of you sided with the underdogs. It really will be fascinating to see if Klopp's men can pull this off in the second half, which is just five minutes away.
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