Champions League Preview: Rubin Kazan - Dynamo Kiev

The Russians have retained their league title and are now looking to take another step towards qualification in Europe…

Nov 23, 2009 12:45:09 PM

More On :  Dynamo Kiev, Rubin Kazan, Rubin Kazan vs Dynamo Kiev
Artem Milevskiy of Dinamo Kiev
Kick Off: Tuesday, November 24, 18.30 CET
Centralniy, Kazan

League Champions

Last weekend, Rubin Kazan secured their second consecutive league title with a 0-0 draw at home to 2007 champions Zenit St. Petersburg. CSKA Moscow’s win at title challengers Spartak Moscow meant that a draw was good enough to spark euphoric celebrations in the Centralniy Stadium.
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However, coach Kurban Berdyev insisted, “The celebrations have been pretty low-key [for the players. The season isn’t over yet.”

There is still one game to go in Russia, and Rubin will be confident of wrapping up their crown in style when they visit relegated Kuban.

More importantly, there is the matter of the Champions League. Rubin, who made their bow in the competition this year, were handed a group containing three other league champions but have held their own so far.

Group F is currently on a knife-edge, and Rubin could put serious pressure on Inter and Barcelona by beating Dynamo Kiev. Rubin have not yet won at home, but have drawn with the Nerazzurri and have picked up an incredible four points against the European champions.

A win against Dynamo would set Rubin well on their way to qualification, with their final game coming against Inter in the San Siro. If Rubin were to win, and the Italians won in Camp Nou, their progression to the next stage would be confirmed due to their head-to-head record against Barcelona.

Outside Chance

With four points from four games, Dynamo Kiev find themselves in fourth place in Group F. However, they are by no means out of the tournament. Dynamo scored three times in the final 19 minutes to pick up a 3-1 win against Rubin on Matchday 1, and won 4-1 on their last visit to Russia against Spartak Moscow.

Coach Valeri Gazzaev has also had previous successes against the Russian champions. During the 2008 season, when he was coach of CSKA Moscow, Gazzaev presided over a 4-0 win and a 0-0 draw against Rubin in the league.

Domestically, Dynamo have had a slight blip recently. After winning seven straight matches, their cup run was ended in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on October 28. Three days later, they dropped points for only the second time in the league, at home against Karpaty Lviv.

However, Artem Milevskiy has been in fine form this season and scored another brace as Dynamo avenged their cup defeat with a 3-0 win against Shakhtar last weekend. It is rare that the Ukrainians don’t score – the cup defeat and a 2-0 loss in the Camp Nou are the only exceptions this season – and Gazzaev will be looking for more of the same from Milevskiy and Andriy Shevchenko.


FORM GUIDE

Rubin Kazan

November 21 v Zenit St. Petersburg (H) – DREW 0-0 (Premier League)

November 8 v CSKA Moscow (A) – WON 2-0 (Premier League)

November 4 v Barcelona (H) – DREW 0-0 (Champions League)

October 30 v Krylia Sovetov (H) – WON 4-1 (Premier League)

October 25 v FK Rostov (A) – WON 2-1 (Premier League)

Dynamo Kiev

November 21 v Shakhtar Donetsk (H) – WON 3-0 (Premier League)

November 4 v Inter (H) – LOST 2-1 (Champions League)

October 31 v Karpaty Lviv (H) – DREW 1-1 (Premier League)

October 28 v Shakhtar Donetsk (A) – LOST 2-0 (Ukrainian Cup)

October 24 v Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (A) – WON 2-0 (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Rubin Kazan

Rubin have few injury problems to worry about. Alejandro Dominguez was unavailable due to a contractual agreement against Zenit but will return against Dynamo. Cristian Ansaldi and Sergei Semak will miss the Inter clash if they are booked.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Ryzhikov; Kaleshin, Sharonov, Cesar Navas, Ansaldi; Ryazantsev, Noboa, Semak, Karadeniz; Bukharov, Dominguez.

Dynamo Kiev

Yevhen Khacheridi has been ruled out of the club’s final two Champions League games due to a broken bone in his foot, while Leandro Almeida is suspended. Artem Milevskiy and Gerson Magrao will be suspended for the Barcelona tie if they pick up yellow cards against Rubin.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Shovkovskiy; Eremenko, Mykhalyk, Yussuf, Nesmachnyi; Ghioane, Vukojevic, Ninkovic; Milevskiy, Shevchenko, Yarmolenko.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alejandro Dominguez (Rubin Kazan)

The striker had a chance to rest over the weekend and will be desperate to get back out onto the pitch against Dynamo. He is out of contract at the end of the year and, either for the benefit of his team-mates or to put himself in the shop window even more, he will be looking to show his quality in the Champions League once again.

Artem Milevskiy (Dynamo Kiev)

Milevskiy was long-tipped as Shevchenko’s natural successor at Dynamo but often struggled to produce the goods. However, he scored 18 goals in all competitions last season and has continued his goalscoring form into the current campaign. The pressure is on Dynamo to get a result, and Milevskiy must step up to the plate.


PREDICTION

A draw is unlikely to do either side any great favours in the group and both will be searching for the victory. Rubin will still be buzzing from their league title and, backed by their jubilant home fans, they should have the edge on the Ukrainians.

Rubin Kazan 2-0 Dynamo Kiev

Anthony Wright, Goal.com
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