TNT Sports
Fernandez wary of Moscow
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Published 20/10/2005 at 16:27 GMT+1
Four days after Marseille's important Ligue 1 win against arch rivals Paris Saint Germain at the Stade Velodrome, the Côte d'Azur club head to Moscow ready for another battle, this time against a high flying CSKA Moscow side in the opening round of UEFA C
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
Marseille boss Jean Fernandez is preparing his team for a tough game at the Dynamo Moscow stadium against the UEFA Cup holders and new leaders of the Russian championship.
Last Sunday's home 2-1 win against Rubin Kazan saw CSKA jump over city rivals Lokomotiv Moscow into top slot.
Marseille, for their part, go into the game on a high, having won the grudge match against bitter domestic rivals PSG amid much controversy on Sunday.
But Fernandez is only too aware of the quality of Russian side.
"CKSA are a quality opponent. They are champions of Europe, they are first in their championship. They are a quality opponent with players capable of making a difference," he said. "I'm thinking particularly of Wagner Love and Ricardo Carvalho.
One player Fernanadez will be pleased to see sitting in the stands on Thursday night is Ivica Olic, the Croat striker, who is injured and will be out until the end of the year with a torn muscle.
CSKA manager Valery Gazzaev could also be without midfielder Yuri Zhirkov, who tore a muscle again in last weekend's game as he made his comeback from injury.
However, CSKA will be boosted by the return of Brazilian Love, who is likely to make his first appearance for the Muscovites since the 25th of September, following a hip problem.
But Fernandez believes the sum of CSKA's side is greater than the parts, even if one of the parts is a free-scoring South American.
"There are not only individuals, the team is also a collective. They're a team who are well placed, who are well organised. They have athletic and technical players who are also quick. They really are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment," the Marseille boss said.
Other than the quality of the opposition, Marseille could find the inclement weather conditions in Moscow a problem.
"The forecast for Thursday is bad. Temperatures will be below zero and there may even be snow," Fernandez explained. "The turf is good, but the conditions for the match will be difficult.
Fernandez will travel to Moscow with nearly a full squad to choose from, Frederic Déhu being the only regular starter set to miss the game with an Achilles tendon injury.
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