Manpower problems for CSKA

By Eugeni Sekundo

The game between PFC CSKA Moskva and SL Benfica has the look of a mammoth tie about it, but in reality the first leg - which is being played in Krasnodar to avoid the freeze in the Russian capital - will see two sides in a state of flux.

Benfica decimated
The Portuguese visitors lost a number of regular players from their starting lineup during the winter break, and have injury worries in the centre of defence where hip injuries to Ricardo Rocha and Andre Luis have left coach Giovanni Trapattoni with just Luisão and Aduardo Alcides to pick from.

Easy opportunity
Meanwhile, Benfica left-back Panagiotis Fyssas has flu, and right-back Miguel has only just returned to training after an injury. But that good news for CSKA is negated by the fact that the former UEFA Champions League challengers will be starting the spring with an attacking lineup that some would consider almost unrecognisable.

CSKA leavers
The winter transfer window saw Czech midfield player Jirí Jarošik join Chelsea FC and long-standing team captain Sergei Semak move to Paris Saint-Germain FC. Another forward, Moldovan international Serghey Dadu, has been allowed to join FC Alania Vladikavkaz on loan to get first-team football.

Olic recovering
As if that were not disruption enough, Croatian forward Ivica Olic will also be unavailable for the game in Krasondar. "He has practically recovered from injury and will train with everyone else," said coach Valeri Gazzaev. "His main problem is a lack of match practice but he may be able to help in the return leg."

Two candidates
Young reserves aside, that has left just two candidates to provide attacking thrust for CSKA - Russian international Dmitri Kiritchenko and Brazilian Vágner Love. And while the latter was a major asset earlier in the season, he will not exactly be playing through choice.

Unsettled Brazilian
In January, Vágner Love insisted that he would not be returning to Moscow having agreed a move back to Brazilian side SC Corinthians. "He wanted to leave, but we spoke to him and told him that no one was ever going to buy his contract out," explained Gazzaev. "He has settled down now."

Midfield ammunition
Almost as vexed a question as who will lead the line for CSKA is who will provide the ammunition from midfield. Left winger Yuri Zhirkov, who made his Russia debut against Italy in February, is suspended, while Argentinian midfield schemer Ferreyra is injured.

Defensive core
Most likely that will leave defensive midfielders Elvir Rahimic and Evgeni Aldonin to man the centre of midfield with Rolan Gusev patrolling the right flank and highly-rated Brazilian Daniel Carvalho playing on the other wing. However, an unconventional 3-6-1 formation with Vágner Love as the lone striker is not out of the question.

Question marks
Notwithstanding question marks over players, the suspension of defender Deividas Semberas and headaches over team formations, Gazzaev's belief in his squad's potential remains absolute. "We worked fruitfully at camps in Italy and Israel," he said. "I think we're ready.

Final target
"We're in a good mood and we are looking for a place in last 16, although our overall target is to play in the final," added the coach who led CSKA to the title in 2003. "I think we have a real chance taking into account the quality of our squad, their ambition and the experience we gained in the Champions League."