SLUTSKY EYES SUNDAY DERBY AGAINST SPARTAK

CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky shares his point of view on the coming Moscow derby between his team and Spartak, which will be held at Luzhniki stadium on Sunday.


"Sometimes I think that beating Spartak is the most significant thing for CSKA fans and that would agree on dropout of Premier League even easier than on losing to our most uncompromising competitors", Slutsky said.

"Our acquisitions have been planed long time ago. We signed Doumbia in winter so we perfectly knew that he would join our squad".

"Transfer work is always in progress, however there are no players, who are close to signing contracts with us. I count on services of those players who took part in our trainings and Vagner Love is one of them".

"In his case everything depends on emotional background of the match. If the game is favourable for us, it can give Vagner Love additional strength".

"It’s hard to assess his current form, because I haven’t worked with him before and I have nothing to compare with. Our tests show that he is 70-80% ready now".

"Honda looked not well in the match in Samara, and tests showed that he hadn’t fully recovered from the World Cup and we decided to give him a break and prepare the player for the big game with Spartak. That is why Honda missed our clash with Spartak Nalchik".

"In general World Cup participants were exhausted, because this tournament requires their physical strength and energy and it definitely tells on players’ form".

"The World Championship ended some time ago, but it’s evident that players, who took part in it, haven’t restored their best conditions".

"On Sunday we will play a special game, which is very important for both sides. Besides it is the most significant derby of our country, teams will need to earn points".

"I came up against Spartak when I worked in different teams, won four matches and lost one game in nine meetings. Of course I would be glad to improve my personal statistics, but I understand that previous successes don’t guarantee positive results in future".

... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!