FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.10.2009 19:00

Berdyev: "Who are Barça not favourites against?"

Anna Segura

Rubin Kazan manager, Kurban Berdyev, knows that on Tuesday night he is facing one of the strongest teams in the world, but denies that they are coming to the Camp Nou just to sit back and see what Barça can do.

This is the first time Rubin Kazan have played in the Champions League and also their first meeting with FC Barcelona. So this is much more than any ordinary football match. As many as 26 players took part in their training session, their initiation to the Camp Nou stadium.

First v last

Despite coming to Barcelona as the bottom ranked side in Group F, with just one point, Rubin Kazan will be looking to shock Barça in much the same way as they did Inter in their last Champions league match, grabbing an unexpected 1-1 draw. Rubin Kazan manager Kurban Berdyev, however, appreciates the size of the task ahead. Asked whether he thinks Barça are favourites, he jokingly replied “and who are Barça not the favourites against in this world?".

No Bukharov

The injured Alexander Bukharov will not be lining up in the Kazan attack. Asked about this, Berdyev said he hoped that “would have no influence”. He will also have to get by without suspended defender Sibaya.

Watching Valencia

In analysing FC Barcelona, Berdyev has been watching all of the latest Barça matches, and said the one that most interested him was Saturday’s at Valencia. “Valencia is a side that knows how to play well against Barça" he said.

César Navas, inside knowledge

Rubin Kazan has one player who knows all about La Liga teams. César Navas was a defender that grew up through the Real Madrid ranks, and has played for Malaga, Nastic Tarragona and Racing Santander. The Spaniard was the player chosen to join Kurban Berdyev in the press conference, where he said Barça “is one of those teams that plays the best football. They will be a tough team to beat because they have a great squad and a manager with very clear ideas. It will be very hard to take points away from the Camp Nou".