UEFA: Russian Clubs with Mixed Fortunes

FC Zenit St. Petersburg and PFC CSKA Moskva in the Europa League and FC Spartak Moskva in the Champions League are the flag carriers of Russian football in the UEFA competitions 2010-2011. Spartak’s main rivals will be Marseilles and Chelsea, Zenit will have to measure forces with AEK Athens and Anderlecht, while CSKA appear on paper to have an easier ride.

CSKA Moskva entered the group phase of the Europa League in great style, sweeping Anorthosis Famagusta FC aside 6-1 over two legs (4-0 in Moscow and 2-1 away). Zenit St. Petersburg dropped down from the Champions’ League after losing over two legs to French team Auxerre (1-0 and 0-2) while FC Spartak Moskva remain Russia’s only hope in the Champions.

Spartak meet Marseilles, Chelsea and Zilina (Slovakia) in Group F, the first game being played away in Marseilles.

In the Europa League, CSKA Moskva meet Palermo (Italy), Sparta Prague (Czech republic) and Lausanne (Switzerland) in Group F while Zenit face Anderlecht (Belgium), Aek Athens and Hajduk Split (Croatia).

Aleksei FEDEROV