Champions League Preview Match Day 5
Group - D
Rubin Kazan V FC Copenhagen,Tsentralnyi Stadion, Russia, 2045 GMT
This may not be a glamour tie of the Champions League, but Copenhagen have been the surprise package of the competition so far, and are just a hair length away from making it to the last 16 of the competition for the first time in their history. Tonight
they take on Russian Champions, Rubin Kazan at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Stadium_(Kazan) in Russia.
No one imagined that Copenhagen would challenge for a spot in the knockout roud when they were paired alongside Barcelona, Panathinaikos and Rubin Kazan. Four group matches later and they are in the thick of things.
Copenhagen are the current league leaders in Denmark and second in this group, trailing Barcelona by a single point, but tonight they will face a stiff test in Russia. Only a couple of weeks ago Copenhagen denied Barcelona a win, so the Danes will not be
intimidated by the Russian Champions.
The Danish outfit has been firing on all cylinders this season, and have won six of their last seven encounters away from home, but tonight’s match is no run of the mill affair. A loss tonight will undo all the hard work they have done so far. It’s a match
both sides cannot afford to lose if they are to qualify for the next round, and will be a feisty encounter with the winner putting themselves in pole position to qualify for the next round.
Rubin Kazan on the other hand were favourites to do well in the Russian league, but have been miserable in the competition so far, but a home win against bitter rivals Zenit St Petersburg will give them a confidence boost ahead of the game. Their home form
has not been very good of late, and in their last five games they have only won once, but they will take heart from the fact that they have not lost any of those games either.
Rubin Kazan’s problems this season have been their strikers, who have failed to find the back of the net in the Champions League, having scored just once in the competition. The strikers will have to find their goal scoring touch tonight if Rubin are to
progress.
Panathinaikos FC V FC Barcelona, Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece, 2045 GMT
The Greek champions were thrashed by the Spanish champions in the opening game of this group and since then Panathinaikos have found it hard to get going in the competition. They have picked up only two points from four games, and find themselves knocked
out of the competition with two games still to play.
The Greeks have only pride to play for, but revenge will be on their agenda, and with their fans behind them at the Athens Olympic stadium, they might sprig a surprise.
Barcelona on the other hand will have one eye on next week’s ‘El Classico’, and can be forgiven if their focus lies elsewhere. But even a weakened Barcelona should prove to be more than a match for the Greek side, but nothing can be taken for granted in
the Champions League.
Uefa Champions League: Group D Table
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
1
Barcelona
4
2
2
0
9
3
6
8
2
FC Copenhagen
4
2
1
1
4
3
1
7
3
Rubin Kazan
4
0
3
1
1
2
-1
3
4
Panathinaikos
4
0
2
2
1
7
-6
2
Remaining fixtures:
Barcelona v Rubin Kazan
FC Copenhagen v Panathinaikos
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