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CSKA Moscow Manager Aware Of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Abilities

CSKA Moscow manager Viktor Goncharenko is aware of the threat possessed from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his Arsenal teammates. The Russian outfit have been pitted against the Gunners in the quarter-final stage of the Europa League with the first-leg of the competition due to be played at the Emirates Stadium next month.


Mkhitaryan has already faced CSKA previously on the road with Manchester United in the Champions League. On that occasion, he managed to create havoc in a 59-minute performance, and contributed a goal in a comfortable 4-1 win for Jose Mourinho’s side. Now at Arsenal, Mkhitaryan has been in fine form of late with two goals and assist in the last three games, but Goncharenko is determined to neutralise the Gunners’ attack front. Speaking in a press conference, he said:“I know Mkhitaryan’s abilities very well. We will make maximum efforts to neutralize not solely Henrikh, but the entire attacking line of the opponent.”

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Zenit St Petersburg star surprised by Celtic’s performance

Zenit St Petersburg defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that he was ‘surprised’ by the performance levels of Celtic during the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 tie. The Hoops produced a strong showing in front of their home supporters, and they were eventually rewarded after Callum McGregor clinched a 78th-minute winner for the Scottish champions.


In an interview covered by The Scotsman, the 33-year-old, who has previously plyed his trade for Chelsea, conceded that he was astonished by the performance of Brendan Rodgers’ side, but he expects Zenit to come back with a strong response of their own when they host the Hoops in the return leg at the Krestovsky Stadium next week.
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Mancini Linked with Vacant Managerial Role at AC Milan

AC Milan are ready to make an approach for Zenit St Petersburg manager Roberto Mancini, who may have a contract with the Russian outfit until 2020 but there are signs that he may be ready to return to top level management. Mancini is reportedly not happy with his life and career at Russia, and he is looking forward to returning to mainstream European football. After having recently sacked manager Vincenzo Montella and failed to secure a proper replacement, AC Milan have been struggling for results. The club spent a huge amount of money in the summer on new players, but it is yet to pay dividends.

At this going great, it looks like Milan will have to spend another season without European football. The club have reportedly identified Roberto Mancini has the person to improve the club’s fortunes, as the former Manchester City and Roma manager has the experience of spending money and providing success at the same time. The rumoured unhappiness within Mancini could be a great way to entice the Zenit St Petersburg manager. Since the departure of Vincenzo Montella, Gattuso has been brought in as the interim manager. However, he has had a huge disappointment so far after managing just one victory in four matches.
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Russia dismiss bribery claim for friendly against Argentina

The Russian football union claims that it did not pay any money to the Argentina for a recent friendly match. The two teams meet each other in a friendly game at Moscow. It has been reported that the Russian football union was ready to be around $ 1 million to Argentina for playing a friendly at Moscow. Russia have already qualified for the upcoming World Cup 2018 as hosts, and it presents the team with very little opportunities against the top teams. So far, they have only been involved in friendly matches as a preparation for the World Cup.

Hence, it would not be surprising to see Russia interested in the possibility of playing against one of the top dogs to test themselves ahead of this major tournament. However, RFU president Vitaly Mutko has dismissed the suggestions. Argentina are set to play against Russia in a friendly on November 11. The match will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium, which last hosted a major event in the form of the Champions League final back in 2012. However, it has been idle for a long time due to construction works. The tickets for the game recently went out for sale at $ 13. Mutko has defended the ticket pricing by claiming that the organisation of a friendly against a top team results in a lot of expenses.
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Russia Ready to Face One of the Strongest Asian Teams

Russia national team manager Stanislav Cherchesov claims that his team are ready to face one of the best Asian teams in the form of Iran.


Russia do not have any competitive matches between now and the start of the World Cup, as they will be taking part in the competition as the hosts of the tournament. As a result, that is a lot of need from Russia in order to build form by facing competitive teams before the start of the competition. Russia have been involved in friendlies against the likes of Chile, while they were also seen at the Confederations Cup.

Even though the Confederations Cup ended in a disappointing fashion with the team losing against Portugal and Russia, the only victory in this competition came in the hands of New Zealand. As a result, Cherchesov is aware that there is a lot of work to be done within the national team if they are to be coming in with a decent performance in front of their own supporters.

Prior to the start of the World Cup, Russia will be up against Korea, Iran, and Argentina in three friendly matches. The last of those friendlies is scheduled to take place in November and this does not provide the team with plenty of opportunities to test the squad.

Cherchesov is for the moment only focused on the double-header against Korea and Iran.“I’ve previously talked about a friendly between Russia and Iran with Carlos Queiroz and now it’s going to happen. We’ve seen Iran’s match with South Korea and I have to say they take advantage of good players such as (Sardar) Azmoun, (Milad) Mohammadi and (Saeid) Ezatolahi. The friendly match will be an important warm-up match and I am sure my friend Queiroz thinks so. We are going to play a beautiful football with strong Iran and I am sure the fans will fill the seats,” said Cherchesov.

Carlos Quieroz praises Russia’s progress ahead of 2018 World Cup

Iran head coach Carlos Quieroz spoke fondly about the Russian national side ahead of the friendly between the two nations on Tuesday night.


The 2018 World Cup hosts defeated South Korea by a comfortable 4-2 scoreline on Saturday, and Queiroz admits there is a still a distinct difference in performance between European and Asian nations.

He said in a press-conference: I saw Russia and South Korea match and I have to say it was a strange and interesting match. Russia showed a better performance and they showed differences between Europe and Asia football. We want to learn from the Russian team, that’s why we are here. I think the current Russian team is a better team than it was in Confederations Cup”

Despite this, Queiroz is confident that his side will play good football against Russia, who will welcome over 23,000 fans for the friendly in Kazan on Tuesday night. After successfully hosting the Confederations Cup in June, Russia are said to have begun preparations for the World Cup in full swing starting with the transport arrangements. Continue reading “Carlos Quieroz praises Russia’s progress ahead of 2018 World Cup” →

Fulham Sign Zenit St Petersburg Player on Deadline Day

Fulham have been able to secure the signing ofYohanMollo from Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg on transfer deadline day.


This has been a major coup for the Championship outfit. The 28-year-old is a well-known player in these quarters after having represented the likes of St Etienne and Monaco. Fulham have been able to bring the player to Craven Cottage on a contract for just two years. It is expected that the club will offer him an extension depending on his performances going forward and if the club are promoted back to the Premier League.

The prospect of playing in the Premier League appears to have been a huge draw for the 28-year-old, who says that he is extremely excited about this project. Fulham have started the 2017-18 campaign as one of the teams capable of getting promotion.YohanMollo has been at Zenit St Petersburg, who also have former Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov in their ranks, for only a short period of time. He had moved to the club for just around € 500,000 from KrylyaSovetov Samara.

In his short spell at the club, he made seven appearances in the league and managed to come up with one goal. His decision to return back to English/French football will help him get some much needed stability in his career.

“I am really happy and excited about the project.I have an opportunity to play in England and to play with a club with great history like Fulham with some great players. It’s a big opportunity for me and I am looking forward to getting started,” said the 28-year-old. Fulham have also signed Wolves winger Jordan Graham on a season-long loan deal. “I’m over the moon. It’s a wicked club to be at. I know how big a club it is,” said Graham.

Massimo Carrera believes in his team

Spartak Moscow coach Massimo Carrera believes that his team can win the title again this season.


The manager who brought the first league title after 16 years said that his players are ready for it and that they are keen to keep the title that they have fought for last season.

Massimo Carrera believes that there is great potential in the team and that it will not be a strange feat if the team managed to retain the title. He believes that the players are aware of their potential and that they are ready for it.

Massimo Carrera said that it has been a wonderful campaign last season and that it was a formidable moment for both the players as well as the fans when they lifted up the title. He said that they will be desperate to experience the same thing this season and that the players are prepared to fight for it. Continue reading “Massimo Carrera believes in his team” →

Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit

 Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire is open to the possibility of an A-League stint, with Sydney FC looking to recruit him as an injury replacement.


The 35-year-old right-back parted ways with Dynamo Moscow at the end of last season, and he has since turned down multiple offers from Russia’s second-tier in order to realise a possible return home.

The 80-cap Socceroo is being eyed by Sydney FC as a suitable replacement for Rhyan Grant who suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury, and Wilkshire confirmed his interest, he said: “If something interesting comes up that excites me, then I will certainly look at it. Everything is possible for me … it’s been like that throughout my career. For me, it’s about something that makes you excited to get out of bed each day. As of yet, I am still waiting to see what happens and I am enjoying being with my young family. If nothing pops up I might shoot to Miami and watch some baseball!” Continue reading “Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit” →

Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow

Marathonbet have agreed to become the official sponsor for Dynamo Moscow, who have returned to the Russian Premier League following a year in the second tier.


The agreement will last until the summer of 2020 with the online bookmaker likely to benefit from branding placement on player’s shirts, the club’s Arena Khimki VTB Arena stadium. Dynamo Moscow will also display their sponsors on their various digital platforms, thus promoting Marathonbet to the Russian market and across the world.

“Sponsorship is an important part of the club’s make-up and we are therefore glad that our search has ended with a partnership with Marathonbet, a leader in the betting sector and one that is confident and optimistic about the future,” Dynamo Moscow general director YevgeniyMuravyov said.

Ekaterina Zemskova, a representative for Marathonbet, also had some fond words to say about Dynamo, who are one of the most recognised clubs in the country, he added: “Dynamo Moscow is a club with a great history – it is the first Soviet champion, the first Soviet Cup winner; it is a brand recognised all over the world. We have been partnering with sports clubs for a long time, with a portfolio now including Manchester United, Malaga and Hibernian.” Continue reading “Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow” →