According to the former president of Moscow “Spartak” Andrei Chervichenko, “Krasnodar” has more chances to reach the playoffs of the football Champions League than the St. Petersburg “Zenith”.
The draw for the Champions League group stage took place on 1 October. “Krasnodar” got into group E, “Sevilla”, “Chelsea” and “Rennes” were there.
Dark horses are always problematic for European clubs. Almost no one knows about Krasnodar, and the team can play good matches if the game goes on. Of course, there are flaws, but no one imagined that the “bulls” will outplay PAOK on the road. I thought that they would lose by three goals, but they took away the victory. “Krasnodar” often does not know how to crush an opponent, he manifests provincial timidity. I think that Krasnodar will be able to bite with Renn and Sevilla, “Chervichenko explained to RIA Novosti.
“Zenith” in Group F went to “Borussia” (Dortmund), “Lazio” and “Bruges”. “Dortmund is not a passing option, the Russian championship is not yet so strong. With Lazio you can fight, with Brugge it will be difficult. Zenit have a chance for the playoffs, while the slowness of central defenders Dejan Lovren and Yaroslav Rakitskiy frightens.” – he added.
