Rudnev returns to boost Dinamo

Early return
Rudnev, who takes over from his immediate successor Aleksandr Shibaev, led Dinamo to their first European final in 2004/05, where they lost to Action 21 Charleroi - who will also be in this season's deciders in Murcia. However, midway through the next campaign, Rudnev moved on to MFK Norilsky Nikel before a stint this term with TTG-Java Yugorsk. The 52-year-old, who won two league titles and one Russian Cup in his previous spell, said: "What is important is that my aspirations and those of president Konstantin Ermenko coincide. Actually my return to Dinamo was planned after this season, but it came about earlier than expected."

Vital points
Dinamo's four-year reign as Russia champions has come under threat this season, and in the last couple of weeks they have faced double-headers with contenders MFK VIZ-Sinara Ek.burg and MFK Spartak Shelkovo Moskovskaya Oblast. In his first two matches back, Rudnev managed the team against VIZ-Sinara, whom they trailed by three points with two games in hand. That gap remained as visitors Dinamo won 9-5 before losing 6-2 the following day. The next week Dinamo welcomed Shelkovo and increased their advantage over their direct opponents with victories by 7-4 and 6-2, although VIZ-Sinara also beat MFK Lipetsk twice. Dinamo have 18 more fixtures before 21 May, however, so there is a long way to go.

Russia newcomers
Rudnev and company take this weekend off and have allowed their considerable Brazilian contingent to travel home, although Pelé and Sirilo have not joined them. The pair now hold Russian passports and, having played two friendlies for their adopted country already, are with club-mates Pavel Stepanov, Konstantin Maevski, Pavel Kobzar and Sergei Malyshev in the Russia squad for next week's UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifying round.