In a stunning move, Anzhi Makhachkala continued its radical line-up transformation with the signing of Diego Tardelli to a four year contract from Atlético Mineiro of the Brasileirão.

The move is the fourth major acquisition of Brazilian talent of Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s side since the end of last season, with venerable attacker Roberto Carlos previously joining the mix, along with Jucilei and João Carlos. Quite notably, the addition of Roberto Carlos, a luminary in the sport has paved the way for Anzhi to quickly become a pipeline for Brazilian talent into the top flight of Russian football.

With Diego Tardelli, the Dagestan side will possess a radically re-shaped look and a striker with the ultimate of predatory skills. Earning five international caps for world powerhouse Brazil, Diego Tardelli has yet to reach his peak and was high on the acquisition list of many top European sides. Netting fifty-nine goals in the last two domestic campaigns, Diego Tardelli immediately jettisons Anzhi Makhachkala into a dangerous attacking unit.

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A week shy of the start of the 2011 Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Dynamo Moscow has struck gold with the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina international Zvjezdan Misimović.

After considerable speculation the twenty-eight year old attacker signed a contract through to the end of 2014, after seeing his relationship with Galatasaray manager Gheorghe Hagi disintegrate quickly following his arrival on-loan from VfL Wolfburg. Making his professional debut with Bayern München, he had stops in Bochum and Nürnberg before joining Wolfsburg in 2008. Under then manager Felix Magath, Zvjezdan Misimović flourished as the focal point in a 4-4-2 “Diamond”, forming a deadly attack with fellow Bosnian star Edin Džeko and Grafite as Wolfsburg went on to claim its first Bundesliga crown.

The arrival of the new man sets the stage for Dynamo manager Miodrag Božović to possess one of the potential most explosive attacks in Russia with Kevin Kurányi and Andriy Voronin up top along with the always creative Aleksandr Samedov. Dynamo, who suffered a deeply disappointing campaign in 2010, will equally need to deal with a wealth of attacking options as Fyodor Smolov has returned from loan assignment with Feyenoord and teens Aleksandr Kokorin and Irakli Logua will push for playing time.

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The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Spartak Moscow continued their impressive start to 2011 with a 2-0 victory over host Sibir Novosibirsk in Russian Cup to advance to the round of sixteen.

Krasno-belye manager Valeriy Karpin, with a keen eye towards the opening leg of the Europa League tie against Eredivisie powerhouse Ajax next week made a number of adjustments to his most recent line-up. Without the services of Nicolás Pareja, expected to miss upwards of a month due to injured and goal scoring virtuoso Welliton, the Spartak tactician welcomed back Ari and rewarded Pavel Yakovlev and Emin Makhmudov with spots in the starting grid. This was the first situation to see Ari paired with Artyom Dzyuba in the attack and the two wasted little time in pressing forward.

It took Spartak little to become accustomed to the frigid conditions as coming off a short corner of the left played between Dmitri Kombarov and Emin Makhmudov, Artyom Dzyuba continued his resurgent play since returning from loan assignment with Tom Tomsk as from four metres he rose high to deftly head a cross into the net. After the go-ahead goal, the hosts pressed for the equalizer but quickly found Spartak’s midfield play impossible to breah, excluding a late chance and the contest went the break without further incident.

At the re-start, Mr. Karpin ushered in Ibson in for Emin Makhmudov and barely four minutes into the new half his side doubled its advantage. Coming via a long ball from Andriy Dikan, Ari played the ball to Pavel Yakovlev on the right channel who showed his vast promise as he outraced a defender before scoring from what looked to be an impossible angle, via the opposite post. For the balance of the affair, Spartak bolted down the affair with the hosts suggesting little ability to threaten. Despite losing Dmitri Kombarov with a red-card, Spartak eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory and will meet either of Amkar Perm or FC Krasnodar, who play on 6 March, in the next stage of the Russian Cup.

The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

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After what seems like an eternity, the start of the 2011 Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia nears. Last years champions, Zenit Saint Petersburg, are churning their engines ready to defend their title but possess firm goals on European stage, with Spartak, CSKA and Rubin Kazan in hot pursuit.

After short lived stops in the top-flight Kuban Krasnodar returns after dominating the First Division but the Green Mile faithful look strong under the brilliant leadership of Dan Petrescu. The former Steaua Bucureşti and Chelsea star shocked many when he made the move from Unirea Urziceni last winter but he quickly established Krasnodar as organized unit and with the likes of Gigi Bucur, they are unlikely to disappoint.

On the backs of a noteworthy second-place finish, Volga Nizhny Novgorod earned promotion with Omari Tetradze with managerial stewardship. Volga has bolstered its roster with recent additions of Leilton, Miklós Gaál, Gogita Gogua, Mersudin Ahmetović and ultra-veteran Ruslan Adzhindzhal.

Still the biggest surprise is the FC Krasnodar who jettisoned to the top-flight after the financial collapse of Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast. Finishing fifth in the First Division, veteran manager Slavoljub Muslin, most recently of Cypriot powerhouse Anorthosis Famagusta, has quickly amassed a strong line-up that includes Armenian international Yura Movsisyan, Dušan Anđelković from Crvena Zvezda and young attacker Joãozinho.

Though there still is a month of training camp in-store from much of the league, Zenit, Spartak, CSKA and Rubin Kazan get back to meaningful contests on Thursday with the Europa League round of thirty-two

Rubin Kazan versus Twente

The day gets underway with a Rubin Kazan welcoming Eredivisie champions Twente to Central Stadium.

After steamrolling to their first title, then under the leadership of Steve McClaren, the faithful of Arke Stadion have seen their side hold tough and deadlocked with PSV at the top of the domestic league. New manager Michel Preud’homme has steadied the course as “de Tukkers” are without a loss since returning from the Christmas break. The Twente line-up exhibits well disciplined play but also possesses ample firepower with Austrian striker Marc Janko, formerly of Red Bull Salzburg, Theo Janssen and Bryan Ruiz.

Kurban Berdyev’s Rubin Kazan will look to improve upon last years third-place domestic finish but need considerable more attacking pulse. Sergey Kornilenko and Oba Martins have both departed and with only limited additions, Rubin will need Carlos Eduardo to emerge as a consistent attacking threat. To the surprise of no one, Rubin is likely to maintain its tough defensive stance and give weather conditions will pose a significant problem, the contest is likely to be a very tightly played affair.

FC Basel versus Spartak Moscow

After finishing fourth in the domestic race, Valeriy Karpin leads Spartak Moscow to Switzerland to face FC Basel.

The Swiss Super League champions continue to hold down the top spot in the domestic league and manager Thorsten Fink is quickly building a strong line-up, once again with rich dividends coming from their youth development program. The striking duo Alexander Frei and Marco Streller are international calibre veterans and capable of pouncing on scoring opportunities with gusto and Valentin Stocker will pose plenty of attacking problems.

The big news around the Krasno-belye camp in recent weeks is the return of Andrey Tikhonov, entering the coaching ranks. The legendary leader will provide bales of experience in steadying influence as the young Spartak line-up matures. Returning to the fold Pavel Yakovlev and Artyom Dzyuba, who were both brilliant during loan spell at Krylya Sovetov and Tom Tomsk last year and of-course, the line up has time to gel with Welliton, Aiden McGeady and Dmitri Kombarov re-united. New signing Marcos Rojo, from Estudiantes of the Argentine Primera División, could prove the key ingredient to steadying the back-line and goalkeeper Andriy Dikan was brilliant after arriving from Terek Grozny. For Spartak’s voracious supporters, hopes abound as the maturing line-up looks ready for an assault domestically as well as on the European stage.

PAOK versus CSKA Moscow

The Army-Men return to action as they travel to Thessaloniki Greece to face PAOK.

After an extensive break, CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky has a difficult test to get his side into top gear against the stubborn hosts. The Army-Men came on strong late with Tomáš Necid re-establishing his striking prowess and the attacking triumvirate of Zoran Tošić, Vágner Love and Seydou Doumbia a constant threat. The attack-laden line-up has considerable depth with Mr. Slutsky likely needing to borrow upon it with Japanese international Keisuke Honda and Vágner Love a late fitness decision.

Though PAOK languish at third in the domestic race, well off pace of Olympiakos, they have been a beast to deal with in the Europa League dispatching Fenerbahçe, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb and Villarreal with near perfect defending. Bosnia and Herzegovina international Zlatan Muslimović is a threat with veteran Vladimir Ivić and Lino, fully fit.

Young Boys versus Zenit Saint Petersburg

Luciano Spalletti leads his defending Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg to Berne Switzerland to face Young Boys.

Zenit was near perfect under the former Roma manager and after absorbing his system, tore through the competition with Aleksandr Kerzhakov accepted as one of the best striking talents in Europe and Danny reputedly the subject of many clubs interests. Zenit was near flawless and with a year of experience behind them acquisitions such as Bruno Alves and Danko Lazović will help position the club as a European threat with the chief target to hoist the hardware in Dublin.

Young Boys enter the contest in a precarious situation, knowing full-well Mr. Spalletti will maintain a well-disciplined approach and would be very comfortable returning to Saint Petersburg for the second leg with a scoreless draw on record. The Swiss side has advanced to this stage of a tournament with relative strength, starting with out-of-form VfB Stuttgart before dispatching Getafe and Odense but will need greater attacking pulse against Zenit.

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A month from the start of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia 2011 campaign, Anzhi Makhachkala has secured the services of veteran Roberto Carlos.

The thirty-seven year-old Brazilian international, known best for his eleven seasons with Real Madrid, possesses a cunning, mercurial attack along with being a legendary free-kick specialist. Returning to his native Brazil to join Corinthians in the spring of 2010 he helped the Timão to a impressive third-place finish in the Brasileirão though they recently were disappointed with a round of sixteen exit the Libertadores Cup. The São Paulo side noted there were other offers for the veterans service, with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS rumoured and he was given his outright release to pursue these options. Though details have yet to be confirmed, media reports suggest Anzhi Makhachkala has agreed to a one-year contract worth €5 million.

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As first reported in Europa League News, FC Krasnodar has moved to quickly to bolster its ranks since admitted into the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia with the signing of Armenian international Yura Movsisyan.

At twenty-three years of age, Yura Movsisyan has established himself quickly as natural predator for Danish side Randers, along with netting three goals for his native in their Euro 2012 qualification efforts. Committing to a contract through the end of the 2014, the attacker completed his physical examination and will join the club in training camp on 2 February.

FC Krasnodar, managed by the venerable Slavoljub Muslin, is a surprise entry to the top-flight of Russian football after finishing fifth in the First Division but following the financial collapse of Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast the RPL governing body chose the club to replace the Ramenskoye based side.

Realizing the mighty jump in quality at the top level, Kuban has moved quickly to shore up its line-up, with further signings that includes mercurial attacker Joãozinho from Levski Sofia and Bosnia and Herzegovina international Ognjen Vranješ from Crvena Zvezda.

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In a surprise move, the governing body of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia announced that FC Krasnodar would replace Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast after the Ramenskoye based side formally withdrew from the top flight.

The move comes as some surprise as the side finished fifth in the First Division, well behind Nizhny Novgorod and KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny, who finished at the third and forth spots respectively. While many assumed Alaniya Vladikavkaz would get a reprieve for relegation, the Kuban side won out easily, most likely due to their extremely strong financial backing.

Krasnodor will join local rivals Kuban Krasnodar, who dominated First Division under the brilliant guidance of Dan Petrescu and Volga Nizhny Novgorod. Krasnodar, is coached by the venerable Slavoljub Muslin, a star in his playing days for legendary Belgrade side Crvena Zvezda during the 1970’s before entering the coaching ranks with many stops including Lokomotiv Moscow, FC Khimki and most recently Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus.

Kuban has definitely been gearing up for this move, with strong signings that includes Bosnia and Herzegovina international Ognjen Vranješ from Crvena Zvezda. In shoring up their attack, considerable rumours suggest that the club is close to signing Yura Movsisyan from Danish side Randers, with twenty-three year-old attacker staring for his native Armenia with three goals in their Euro 2012 qualification efforts.

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Unquestionably, the biggest signing in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia this winter falls to Terek Grozny, who has handed the managerial reigns to Dutch legend Ruud Gullit with the signing of an eighteen-month contract.

Best known for his days with Feyenoord and PSV, after debuting as a young teen for the now defunct HFC Haarlem in 1979, Mr. Gullit moved to Milan in 1987 where he starred six years for the Rossoneri. A stylish player, who epitomized the Dutch vision of “totaalvoetbal” he begin his managerial career at Chelsea before short stints with Newcastle and Feyenoord. He returned to the coaching ranks in 2007 with the David Beckham-led Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS but left for personal reasons after a problematic series of performances.

Grozny, which suffered through a trying second half of the campaign to finish twelfth let go of manager Anatoly Baidachny at year-end but it was widely accepted that Víctor Muñoz, mostly recently at La Liga’s Getafe, would take over. In a strange turn of events this past week, after the Spanish tactician began working with the club at their training camp, Gronzy announced that an agreement was not reached and the relationship severed.

He coming to Grozny, Ruud Gullit will surely supply the Chechnya-based with the same firebrand approach to play that was a hallmark of his style and passion for the game. A jewel in the crown of signing the legendary player is that equally he will immediately open considerable channels for talent within the rich Dutch football system, particularly of interest given many sides are financially troubled at this time.

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Gearing up for their Europa League charge, Spartak Moscow has bolstered their forces with the signing of highly promising teen Emin Makhmudov.

Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin, whose contract was extended through the summer of 2012 last month, has seen his side make a series of moves this January. The Krasno-belye have continued to tactically reshape their line-up, including welcoming back emerging star Artyom Dzyuba from loan at Tom Tomsk as well as signing of Artur Valikaev, whilst seeing Andrei Ivanov, Renat Sabitov and Ivan Saenko depart.

For Emin Makhmudov, the move from the financially crippled Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast is welcomed as he noted to the media of being a supportive of the capital city powerhouse, “I have dreamed of seeing myself in the red and white colours of Spartak. My dream has come true now and I am obviously very happy”.

Spartak, along domestic champions Zenit Saint Petersburg, CSKA Moscow and Rubin Kazan venture into Europa League round of thirty-two, that commences on 17 February.
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As previously reported in the Europa League News, the worst-case situation has occurred for Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast as the Ramenskoye based side formally withdrew from the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia.

Like FC Moscow last winter, Saturn is unable to meet its financial obligations and in a simply worded statement, the club announced, “letters informing the Russian Football Union and the Russian Premier League management about their decision to withdraw from playing in the country’s elite division because of financial difficulties”.

Saturn, founded in 1946, surged into the top flight of Russian football in 1999 after years in the lower ranks. The club has consistently proven to be a side capable of finishing in the top half of the table, including a meteoric fifth-place finish in 2007. Saturn, led by thirty-five year-old manager Andrei Gordeev, suffered a difficult start to the most recent campaign but its veteran based line-up that included Dmitry Parfenov, Andrei Karyaka and Dmitri Kirichenko rebounded in the second half of the campaign to reward their voracious supporters with a tenth place finish.

The repercussions of Saturn’s financial collapse place a particular burden on the RPL as given the already announced intentions of Amkar Perm to withdraw from the top flight, the league now has to consider retracing the relegation of Sibir Novosibirsk and Alaniya Vladikavkaz or dipping further into the Russian First Division for Nizhny Novgorod and
KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny, who finished at the third and forth spots respectively.

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