Euro 2012: Stingy Defences That Could Carry Teams Deep into the Tournament

All the talk leading into this summer's showpiece has been of which openly attacking team will fare better?  Which of Europe's top strikers is going to continue where he left off at his club and fire goal after goal?

However, a strong defence can prove to be just as vital at times, as we have already seen this season.

Chelsea are a perfect example, a team who no doubt contain tremendous attacking talent within their ranks, but who know when to be stern and sit back and tactically ride out the opposition's threat.

This led them to Champions League success, something many great managers, including the enigma that is Jose Mourinho, couldn't do.

So here we either look at teams who happen to be blessed with a good defence to compliment their attack or those whose only real hope could be an ability not to concede.

Russia

One that thing seems certain from their opener against the Czech Republic last night is that Russia will make the quarterfinals.

Another observation is that their fluid play could be extremely difficult to deal with, and could give the very best a challenging time.

If they are to beat some of these top sides though, their defence will be crucial.

In qualifying for this tournament they imperiously only conceded three goals, two away against the Republic of Ireland and one in Armenia, but again they weren't tested by the best, I hear you say.

Two more clean sheets in two warm-up games, against Lithuania and Italy, heightened confidence.

Their strength at the back is based upon Aleksei Berezutskiy and Sergei Ignashevich, both of CSKA Moscow, who use their prior teammate experience to their advantage.

Aleksandr Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov have a seemingly unquenchable thirst for getting forward, so that could be where the danger lies. 

They will have to be very disciplined in getting back to maintain that order at the back.

Italy

Before you begin to discredit, I am merely saying if they are to retain any hope of progressing past the group stages then defence could well be the best form of attack for the Italians.

Cesare Prandelli has worked hard to change the ethos within the side, but since yet another match fixing scandal broke, focus must have understandably been shifted.

Italy qualified with the best defensive record of anyone to make the finals, conceding just twice in 10 games, once against Estonia and again in Serbia.

The 3-0 loss to Russia in the final warm-up game highlighted the problems running through this side, problems that will have to be resolved in double quick time. 

Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are another same-club pair, this time Juventus, with experience spreading right through the back four and beyond.

This pair though will have to quickly provide a platform on which Italy can build and progress.

England

Another choice that could prove to be a touch controversial, but the truth is if England are to progress then defensive stability will be key.

Roy Hodgson has proven time and again, at many clubs, that his approach will be based upon discipline and defensive stability.

Something touched upon by Fabio Capello initially, with just five goals his side during qualifying.

Two unconvincing 1-0 victories have been witnessed in the ex-West Brom manager's first two games in charge, hardly setting the pulses running.

Through Gary Cahill's injury the all Chelsea partnership at the back is no more, with Joleon Lescott expected to step in.

The one major worry is that right-back berth, though Glen Johnson continues to divide opinion and against decent opposition could be found wanting.

France

England's group D rivals France are yet another nation that had a terrific time of it defensively through qualifying.

After a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Belarus in their first qualifying match, Laurent Blanc turned it around in spectacular style as his team conceded just three more.

They have also only conceded twice in three qualifying games, further proof to their defensive capabilities.

The lapses that have begun to creep in though will have to be cut out, otherwise they could also be found wanting against a better class of opposition.

Group B Dilemma

For all the attacking talent that will be on display in the group of death, it will come down to whose defense can cope the best to decide who will progress.

As much as the world loves an underdog, Denmark won't have enough quality to deal with those others in this group.

So if you analyse the other three sides, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, it is clear to see who has the advantage.

The latter of the three didn't only concede more than the others in qualifying, they also scored the fewest and head into the finals after a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Turkey.

Germany and the Netherlands will be able to cope with the threat coming towards them.