According to newspaper Nova Makedonija, Toshack has apparently decided to use a 4-2-3-1 formation against Russia.
The big surprise in the starting 11 is Samir Fazli who Nova Makedonija reports will start as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Fazli is not playing for his club team Heerenveen because he is the dog house of the manager but Samir is the only striker on the current 19 player squad in Russia that has the characteristics to play as a lone striker.
Toshack is expected to start Martin Bogatinov at keeper. Martin recently resumed starting for Karpaty while Tome Pacovski is currently the #3 keeper for Beerschot so Toskack will likely give the edge to Bogatinov. The only option at RB was Daniel Georgievski who will have a tough assignment in marking Russian winger Andrei Arshavin. Noveski was a lock to start at left CB while the battle for the other CB spot came down to either Vance Sikov or Daniel Mojsov but Nova Makedonija reports Toshack has chosen Sikov to partner Noveski in the center of our defense. The easy choice to start at LB was Goran Popov. Since Velice Sumulikoski and Muhamed Demiri are the only two defensive midfielders among the squad in Russia, they will start in defensive midfield.
Meanwhile, the three creative players in front of the lone striker will be Ivan Trickovski, Goran Pandev, and Agim Ibraimi. Tricko will play on his preferred left side, Pandev will finally play the trequartista role where he can utilize his vision and good passing abilities, while Agim Ibraimi will be on the right wing. The lone striker up front, as previously mentioned, will most likely be the 20 year old Samir Fazli. Samir has good size and is the only player, among the 19 in Russia, that has the characteristics to play as a centre forward. He is not afraid to challenge in the air for headers but the problem with Fazli is lack of action because the current Heerenveen manager has decided not to count on Fazli in the early part of the season.
Assuming that Toshack starts with this formation, what do you expect the score to be during tomorrow’s Russia vs. Macedonia game?