Šemberas stands by CSKA

By Eduard Nisenboim

Title race
With six games remaining, Valeri Gazzaev's side are two points adrift of league leaders FC Zenit St. Peterburg as they aim to win their second successive title, but the Lithuanian international insists that the pressure of playing two games a week will not see his side crumble.

Extra games
"It's a huge plus to play in the Champions League," he told uefa.com. "When you play teams of such level you accumulate serious experience. It is not easy to play twice a week, but all the best teams in Europe have to do it and this is something we have to get used to."

Lokomotiv case
Two years ago, CSKA lost out to FC Lokomotiv Moskva in the race for the Russian title after a special play-off match between the two clubs was arranged after they finished level on points. Many said that Lokomotiv would have won the title comfortably were it not for their Champions League commitments.

Fair argument
Šemberas was certainly aware of such arguments. "Lokomotiv were playing in Champions League and perhaps the pressure told on them," said the 26-year-old. "Now we must do everything to make sure that Europe does not affect our performances in the league."

Coach's concern
Gazzaev has been reminding his players that the Premier-Liga remains CSKA's No1 priority. "This is what he tells us - so we can play in Europe next season too," said Šemberas. "Overall I agree, although when you're on the pitch you don't think about priorities and you only play to win."

Porto draw
However, having made a positive start with a goalless draw at FC Porto, CSKA will struggle not to get carried away by the excitement of European competition. Šemberas has certainly set his sights high as his side prepare for a home game against Paris Saint-Germain FC.

Simple task
"We have been set the task of progressing from the group," he explained. "I'm not going to say 'let's just play decent football'. We need a lot of strength and energy to finish first or second in this group but I think we have potential to do that."

Press criticism
CSKA's potential is not in doubt - however, many in Russia have questioned their ability to live up to it after some drab performances. However, Šemberas has been unmoved by criticism of his team in the Russian press. "I don't think that the critics are right," he said.

'We're used to it'
"It's not pleasant but we're used to it and we don't pay too much attention," he added. "What can you do? People often criticise us out of envy. We have been fighting for the title three years in a row and it's only natural that we're not liked by a few people."

PSG form
Now Šemberas is hoping to make some more enemies by inflicting another defeat on a PSG side who have been going through a dreadful spell in Ligue 1 and held crisis talks after a limp performance in their 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea FC on Matchday 1.

'A good chance'
The defender has seen the French side, and he was not that impressed. "I won't say the usual things like 'there's no weak sides in the Champions League'," he said. "I've seen a few PSG games from this season and I did not see that many strong points. I think we have a good chance of winning."