RUBIN KAZAN’S TEST IN WOLFSBURG

Coming off CSKA’s remarkable advancement to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Rubin Kazan looks to push to the next stage of the Europa League as they visit VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena in the second-leg of their tie.


The task of the Russian champions will not be an easy one, as they found out in the opening-leg 1-1 draw in Kazan on 11 March and they have a further concern that Wolfsburg is riding a wave of optimism under manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner.

The tide has turned quickly in Wolfsburg since the new manager took over from Armin Veh on 25 January. Quickly restoring the attacking principles that saw them claim their first Bundesliga title last year, Zvjezdan Misimović and Edin Džeko are performing at a lustful goal-scoring pace, with much credit owing to the return of right back Peter Pekarík, formerly of MŠK Žilina, back into the starting eleven.

Die Wölfe is riding a four match-winning streak, including last Saturday’s 4-0 slaughter of Borussia Mönchengladbach at Borussia-Park and showing no signs in letting up.

Rubin Kazan, in the opening week of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, got past Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 with a late surge. Though the match was a bottled-up affair, manager Kurban Berdyev magnificently utilized his bench and will have no personnel problems in their German visit.

While Mr. Berdyev is known to refrain from the spotlight, what he has accomplished with the Tatarstan side is remarkable. Should he manufacture an upset, Rubin Kazan will be positioned perfectly for a run towards the final in Hamburg and he might find himself at the centre of the football world.

However to do so, they will first need to get past Wolfsburg in what is likely a wide-open, attack-laden contest.

Prepared by John Davies