Opponent Guide: CSKA Moskva

Brief History
Founded in 1911, CSKA had its most successful period after World War II with five titles in six seasons. It won a total of 7 soviet Top League championships, including the last-ever season in 1991. The club has also won 6 Russian Premier League titles, and the 2004-05 UEFA Cup.

CSKA was the official team of the Soviet Army during the communist era. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union it has become privately owned, with the Ministry of Defence as a shareholder. Russian businessman Roman Abramovich’s Sibneft Corporation was a leading sponsor of the club from 2004 to 2006.

Stadium
This is the first time since 2000 that CSKA have a real ground to call their own. Since knocking down their old Grigory Fedotov Stadium, they have had to use others instead. They played at the echoey old Luzhniki Stadium, which is currently being redeveloped to be ready for the 2018 World Cup. They have played at the Arena Khimki, a two hours’ drive outside the city, sharing it with Dynamo Moscow. But they could rarely if ever attract more than 10,000 fans there.

Their new Arena CSKA, which only opened 11 days ago was supposed to be ready in 2009 but construction was halted and did not resume until 2013. It is built on the ground of the old Grigory Fedotov Stadium and now holds 30,000 fans (Record attendance 26,420) with the Spurs match being the 3rd game ever played.

Form
Last 5: Draw, Loss, Win, Draw, Win

Having played eight games in the Russian Premier League, CSKA Moscow currently sit 2nd behind Spartak Moscow. They’ve gained 18 points and remain undefeated with 5 wins and 3 draws. The club has conceded just 3 goals in those 8 games and share the joint-best defensive record so far.

The lack of goals however mean they are 5th in the ‘goals for’ ranking with only 10. Their most convincing performance this season has been a 3-0 win against mid-table team Terek Grozny but have generally struggled to win matches by more than a single goal.

Key Players
Eremenko is the main star of the team. The midfielder is one of the most creative players in the Russian League at the moment and has already scored 3 goals. He is their joint-top scorer alongside the 6’7" Ivorian Traore who will no doubt be a threat on set pieces and crosses.

Elsewhere, Dzagoev is a well-rounded midfielder who has shown glimpses of his talent for Russia and a reliable player for the team. He is likely to be partnered by 30-year old Wernbloom in the two CDM spots with two of Golovin, Ionov, Milanov and Tosic either side of Eremenko in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Defensively, their right back Mario Fernandes is their best player. He and most likely Schennikov will look to provide width to the team with the powerful 6’2" Berezutskiy as centre back.

Predicted Line-up

__________________Akinfeev
Fernandes__Ignashevich___Berezutskiy___Schennikov
___________Wernbloom___Dzagoev
Golovin____________Eremenko___________Milanov
___________________Traore