Rossiyanka threat to Frankfurt

Coach Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks is looking to erase the memory of a "bitter defeat" last season as 1. FFC Frankfurt meet WFC Rossiyanka in the quarter-finals.

'No easy opponents'
The winners of the inaugural UEFA Women's Cup in 2001/02, Frankfurt lost out on away goals to Kolbotn IL in the last eight last term, and are determined not to fall at the same hurdle again. "We know that there are no easy opponents in this women's edition of the UEFA Champions League, and we want to do better this year especially given our bitter defeat last year by Kolbotn," said Tritschoks.

Worthy opponents
Rossiyanka, who host Thursday's first leg ahead of a rematch in Germany next Wednesday, are playing in the knockout phase for the first time, but Tritschoks knows they will be no pushovers. "They have shown they belong among Europe's top clubs by holding Umeå [IK] to a 2-2 draw in [qualifying] in October," he said, "They boast Russian and Ukrainian internationals and have professional players."

Not fit yet
Sarah Günther, Renate Lingor and Pia Wunderlich have all resumed training after overcoming injuries, but not in time to play while Sandra Smisek is still recovering from a tendon injury. "Our team knows what it is capable of," said Tritschoks. "They have to show their will to perform and their ability to play against Rossiyanka and they have to capitalise on the chances they create."

Measuring stick
Having lost their domestic crown and the Russian Cup final to FC Zvezda 2005 Perm, Rossiyanka are looking to keep their season alive at the Rodina Stadium in Khimki. "Frankfurt are one of the best European clubs and German women's football is among the strongest in the world," said Rossiyanka coach Vladimir Gerasimov. "These ties will be very interesting and useful for our team."

Sole focus
However, the suspensions of Russia international defenders Maria Dyachkova and Anna Kozhnikova are a major headache for Gerasimov, who hoped that - without any other distractions - his side could focus on the big game. "The season in Russia is already over, and European competition is our only task," he said. "We need our fans to turn out and support Rossiyanka. They need to be our 12th player."

New signings
Rossiyanka have made four new signings in the weeks leading up to the match, recruiting 22-year-old midfielder Natalia Russkikh and defender Natalia Sartovtsevam 17, from FC Khimki and George Christy Tar and fellow Nigerian international Ekpo Efioanvan Ekpenyong, both 23, from Pelican Stars FC in their homeland.