DYNAMO, ZENIT AND AMKAR TO PLAY EUROPA LEAGUE MATCHES
Three Russian clubs - Dynamo, Zenit and Amkar
- will play their return matches of Europa League play-offs tonight. Sport
Express correspondent John Davies is looking forward to the second leg
games.
Dynamo head coach Andrey Kobelev Photo
SPORT EXPRESS
Thursday evening, the steel of Dynamo Moskva, Zenit Saint
Petersburg and Amkar Perm will be tested in the second legs of their respective
Europa League playoff round ties. For each the challenge will be as stern
as the cold winter winds that lay in the horizon, yet the equally possess
a distinct chance to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
The day commences with Dynamo Moskva welcoming CSKA Sofia in their temporary
home in Khimki. On the surface Andrey Kobelev's side is in perfect position
after last weeks nil draw in Bulgaria. However this weekends 3-0 loss
to Rubin Kazan was anything but reassuring and Dynamo will need Aleksandr
Kerzhakov and teen striking partner Aleksandr Kokorin. The opening match
was hallmarked with tough defensive minded football in which both sides
maintained classical shape and refused to expose themselves to a counter
attack going forward. Tactically Sofia had its most success when coach
Luboslav Penev brought in their highly promising attackers Spas Delev
and Atanas Zehirov and both could play a significant role in the match.
Despite swirling rumours of Aleksandr Kerzhakov's possible departure to
Zenit Saint Petersburg, Dynamo appears very focused in preparations leading
up to the match with only Tsvetan Genkov and Viktor Svezhov the only injury
related absences.
Off to the east, Amkar Perm faces Fulham of the English Premier League.
Despite losing the opening match 3-1 in Craven Cottage, Dimitar Dimitrov
knows his side is capable of overcoming the two-goal deficit. Fulham equally
is facing a significant challenge, not only with a difficult travel schedule
that cannot be understated but they will go into the match without Bobby
Zamora, Danny Murphy, Paul Konchesky and Andy Johnson. Though Fulham might
have some modest problems with the artificial surface in Perm, the key
may in-fact be Amkar's Vitaliy Grishin late goal in the opening leg and
should the hosts be able to break through early, it will radically change
the tactical approach for the balance of the contest.
The final match of the day has Nacional da Madeira visiting Petrovsky
Stadium to face Zenit Saint Petersburg. The Portuguese side came out on
top of the opening leg 4-3 but Fatih Tekke's goal for Zenit in the third
minute of added-time could have a dramatic impact upon the outcome in
the final outcome. Nacional as coming off a difficult 3-0 loss to FC Porto
in Portuguese Liga action on Sunday in a match that will be remembered
for their inability to maintain discipline on the pitch as both Clebao
and Cleber were shown red-cards for continuing to argue with the referee
after a controversial call. Prior to self-destructing Manuel Machado's
side had shown the calm defending discipline that they will need if they
are to be successful in Saint Petersburg. Alternatively Zenit has rebounded
from recent problems under caretaker coach Anatoly Davydov and showing
much of the attacking flourish that had the hoisting the UEFA cup roughly
fifteen months ago. Hungarian international Szabolcs Huszti is quickly
establishing himself as a key play-maker for Zenit with the striking duo
of Fatih Tekke and Sergey Kornilenko very promising.
