Group Overview
Cam: @CamB_PerSources
Group H is a mixed bag of superstars and well-organized teams. Pot 1 entry, Poland have very little experience on the World Stage but have a squad with star standouts. Robert Lewandowski leads the front line while defense is anchored by Monaco and Borussia Dortmund defenders Kamil Glick and Lukas Piszczek with Lukas Fabianski in goal. Poland have the quarterfinal exit of Euro16 to build off of but not much experience after that. Columbia are made their way through CONMEBOL finishing fourth. The Colombians are lead by playmaker James Rodriguez in the middle and captain Radamel Falcao. Falcao missed out on the 2014 tournament with a leg injury during his peak. Now the captain and James Rodriguez have an excellent chance to make it out of the group if not faltering over Senegal and Japan. Senegal have reached its second ever tournament after overcoming South Africa and Burkina Fuso. Star player Sadio Mane only scored one goal in CAF qualifying, but has been on good form, including in the Champions League Final vs Real Madrid. Moussa Sow is the top scorer in the squad with 18 goals but will most likely come off the bench to replace Diafra Sakho to partner Mane up front. Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the defense after an outstanding season at Napoli. Quality also comes through the midfield with Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate of Everton and West Ham United. Japan bring experience, their seventh consecutive in a row, to the group and multiple players returning to the team Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki lead the way for scoring. The only hurdle could be the Japanese backline as they have experience but have only kept two clean sheets since August of 2017 in eleven games. Poland and Colombia are the favorites to advance and they should advance with Senegal nipping at heels of Colombia. Poland will top the group followed by Colombia.
Tincho: (@MP_persources)
Colombia’s group for the taking. I believe that Colombia are one of the most slept on teams of the tournament and are more than capable of making some noise for themselves. Their core group of players have matured in the last four years and have experience playing against Europe’s best clubs. James is coming off a fantastic season with Bayern, Radamel Falcao is returning to pre-injury Falcao and the team’s offensive firepower can overshadow their questionable defense. Poland is not just Lewandowski and 10 other players. They are a high scoring, free flowing side that just so happens to have a top 5 striker in the World. Meanwhile, Senegal is a dangerous side simply because there has not been a lot of coverage on them. We all know what Sadio Mane is capable of but Senegal has so much more to offer. In general, African teams are always a puzzle for rivals. Expect a physical and explosive Senegalese side that can punish you if given the opportunity. Lastly, there is Japan. The most consistent Asian side in recent time, Japan has experienced players who can lead Japan out of the group for the third time in their history. Although Japan is usually just a step or two away from making it out of the group, there is a chance that with an accessible group like this, they could potentially make it out.
Player To Watch:
Tincho: Sadio Mane
The Liverpool winger is coming off the best season of his career so far and is the most experienced player in this Senegal side. He is the “X” factor for Senegal who can help take the team to another level. Usually, the problem that African teams face is that decisive player that can help them compete with some of the most rounded teams in the tournament. I think that Senegal is the African team to watch this tournament and look for Sadio Mane to bring his Liverpool form to Russia
Cam: Piotr Zielinski
Zielinski has established himself in a Napoli side that finished runners up to Juventus. Zielinski is your classic box to box midfield that has the versatility to play in an advanced role or even out on the left wing. Good with both feet, Zielinski has the ability to spread the play wide and come into the box unmarked to score. At Napoli he scored seven goals and assisted three during the 2017-2018 season and in a recent friendly vs Chile he scored in a 2-2 draw. Zielinski could be seen as the secondary scoring after Lewandowski. Zielinski role to win the ball up the field and provide pressure to give the defense relief and not work as hard. Poland have a great shot at the group and even to go past the quarterfinals, Zielinski will be at the heart of it.
Biggest Concern:
Tincho: Poland’s defense
Although they are an offensive minded side that scores for fun at times, Poland’s defense continues to be a liability. They conceded a total of 14 goals in a span of 10 games in qualifying in a group where Denmark was the only complicated rival. In a group where every other rival flourishes on the offensive side, Poland’s defense might jeopardize their qualification. It may come down to goal differential and I’m worried their defense may cost them in the long run.