TipResumen

INTRODUCTION

This is the clash in the first round of the Russia Premier League where Rubin Kazan which finished in tenth last season in the standings will host Krasnodar which finished last season in fourth spot and will play in the Europa League this season.



RUBIN KAZAN

Interestingly their last meeting was in the last round of last season at a time when Rubin Kazan had secured their survival and Krasnodar had guarantedd themselves a place in the Europa League. It should be noted that was the fourth consecutive match that Rubin drew. In the second half of the season, Rubin suffered only one defeat in their last nine matches. But that good achievement in the second half of the season could only enabled them to finish tenth in the standings but the mood before they ended the season was great nevertheless. They have once again kept faith in Kurban Berdyev to lead the team and he is known for his defensive style so we can once again expect a similar approach from him in this season. The players that left the side in the transfer window are the likes of defenders Enache and Kuzmin, midfielders Noboa and Akhmetov, and strikers Popov and Zhemaletdinov, while they brought in the likes of defenders Tsallagov, Chico and Uremovic, midfielder Baramyan and strikers Poloz and Bukharov.



FK KRASNODAR

After finishing fourth last season they secured a place in this season's Europa League. Last season they came close to playing in the Europa League but were prevented in the qualification play offs by Crvena Zvezda Belgrade. Their fans wanted them to finish in third place as that would have enabled them to play in the qualification of Champions League, but since they were two points behind, they have to be happy with a place in the Europa League this season. They were behind champion Lokomotive by some six points in the standings. Six round before the season finishes last season Krasnodar was not playing well, but the arrival of young manager Musaev changed things as they won four matches in a row, drew once and lost once in their last six games. It was thus not a surprise that Museav was given a new contract this season. As for the players they brought in, the likes of stopper Spajic and midfielders Stotskiy, Cuev and Katrich were brought in, while the likes of stopper Granqvist, midfielders Shatov and Icvan, and wingers Joaozinho and Laborde departed the side.