Rinat Bilyaletdinov’s Rubin Kazan take on Austrian side Sturm Graz in a battle for a spot in Europa League group stage. The winner of the meeting will be awarded with a spot in the Play-off Round, which is the last qualification round before the group stage. We have teamed up with the Austrian football expert Tim Armitage to give you the best possible preview for this important match.
Sturm Graz
Sturm, established by students in 1909, have gone on to become one of the most supported sides in Austria, with the club followed by around 410,000 fans across Europe, according to the German marketing institute Sport + Markt in 2008. The side, also known as the “Blackies” have since gone on to win three Bundesliga titles (1998,1999 and 2011), with their last title won under Franco Foda, in his second spell as head coach.
After a brief European hiatus, Sturm Graz return to Europa League action this Thursday as they take on a struggling Rubin Kazan. Under manager Franco Foda, who returned to the club midway through last season, Sturm achieved a 4th place finish, enough for a 3rd qualifying round spot.
Formation and playing style
The team have always had an emphasis on bringing youth players through into their senior side via their academy and amateur teams, with players such as Christoph Leitgeb, Sebastian Prödl and Emanuel Pogatetz recent success stories. Current youth products include Thorsten Schick (25), Andreas Gruber (20) and Sandi Lovric (17, signed from Lienz boys as a 12 year old).
Franco Foda tends to adopt a 4-3-3 formation and has not been afraid to give playing time to youngsters, with Gruber a perfect example, as he made 24 appearances last season in the Bundesliga. The current crop of players give Foda plenty of options on the wing, an area they have bolstered over the summer, following the signing of Kristijan Dobras (22) from relegated Wiener Neustadt. Although their wide players often press high up the pitch, Sturm are very rarely caught out on the counter. Michael Madl, Anel Hadzic, Simon Piesinger and most recently Wilson Kamavuaka have all brought defensive solidarity to the team, whilst also giving Sturm options from set-pieces.
In Austria, Rubin are likely to face a positive Sturm side, who will look to get forward at every opportunity, but even away, Sturm should not be taken lightly. Schick, Marco Schmerböck (21) and Dobras, as well as Sturm’s marauding full-backs, will all look to counter the Russians where possible.
Team news
Since the departure of Marco Djuricin to Red Bull Salzburg, the side have struggled to find a replacement and going into the 15/16 season, this still appears to be the case. A resurgent Josip Tadic (27), who saw limited game time last season, appears to be the striker in the best form, however, veteran Roman Kienast (31) will be looking to push for a starting berth.
Following the signing of VfL Bochum’s Michael Esser (27) this summer, Foda knows he has a goalkeeper he can trust and with captain Michael Madl just ahead of him, their defence is solid, if not slightly unspectacular.
Schalke loanee Donis Avdijaj (18), will keep Rubin on their toes throughout both legs from attacking midfield, with support likely to come from Simon Piesinger (23), who was recently been linked with a move to Denmark, after a 14/15 season that included 9 league goals. On the wings, Foda is likely to use a combination of personnel, with Thorsten Schick arguably the team’s greatest attacking threat.
Match prediction
If Rubin are able to keep a solid defensive shape throughout both ties, Sturm could struggle to break them down, with the Blackies best chances of scoring likely to be on the break or from set-pieces.
With a bumper crowd of over 10,000 expected tomorrow, Rubin will face a partisan atmosphere, with Sturm fans looking to inspire their side to victory. If Rubin are able to overcome their slump and secure any kind of result in Austria, I would be surprised if Sturm have the firepower to overturn them in the second leg.
However, it is clear that Sturm and Foda have done everything they can to prepare for victory. When asked about their Russian opponents, Foda responded: “I know every single (Rubin) player and I know their strengths and weaknesses”.
Overall, I think either side could go through, but it could be by one goal or the away goals rule.
Rubin Kazan
Rubin Kazan haven’t had the greatest of starts to the season. Having qualified for the Europa Legaue on a technicality following Dinamo Moscow’s punishment for breaking FFP rules, the 2014/15 season’s 5th placed side has had a bit of a buzz around it. With no major losses to their relatively young, Russian suqad, the confidence was high going into the season. However a demoralising late loss to CSKA Moscow on the opening day of the season bought them back to earth with a bump.
This was followed up by a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Amkar Perm this Sunday. Having dominated possession for large periods, Rubin were punished by unfortunate own goal by Georgian giant, Solomon Kverkvelia, who then proceeded to get sent off for kicking out at Amkar captain Igor Cherenchikov. The usually calm Kverkvelia’s lapse of emotion caused his side no end of trouble without his presence in defence, and a late penalty summed up a dreadful afternoon for Rubin’s first home game of the season.
However there is hope yet. Rubin’s record in the Europa League qualifiers is second to none in recent times, and in their last run in the qualifiers, they scored 13 and conceded 3 in just 6 matches, winning all 6 against opposition from Serbia, Denmark and Norway. Rubin’s talented squad is still capable of great things, but they are heavily reliant on confidence. An early goal would go great lengths towards a fine performance.
Team news
Rubin travel to Austria with almost a full strength squad, including the new signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. The only first teamers with any issues are Blagoy Georgiev (who hasn’t featured yet this season) and striker Vladimir Dyadyun, who is at best a backup option anyway, though the former may be back in time. Rubin have in fact been boosted by the arrival of Uruguayan defender Mauricio Lemos following his participation in the Pan-American Games. Rubin have played both games this season with different CB pairings, as Kverkvelia has been partnered up with holding midfielder Kambolov and full back Cotugno so far, so the addition of a natural centre back is welcome.
Formation and playing style
Rubin tend to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation as a basic shape, with a counter-attacking style of play. The two “holding midfielders” tend to be more like box-to-box players, depending who is playing. Only Kambolov of the holding midfielders in the squad has a true defensive mind-set. The wingers tend to cut inside a lot and operate as supporting strikers of sorts, allowing the “fullbacks” of Kuzmin and Nabiullin to essentially become wingbacks. These guys will be bombing down the flanks all game, and despite captain Kuzmin being 34, he has the best stamina in the side. With Portnyagin up front, they will play balls into the box at all opportunities – something that Amkar goalkeeper Roman Gerus dealt with very well this weekend – as the big striker is a real aerial threat with outstanding jumping ability.
Goalkeeper Ryzhikov distributes the ball as quick as he can, aiming for Portnyagin, who will hold up the ball if possible for Carlos Eduardo, who sits just behind him as the creative hook of the side.
Probable line-up
Ryzhikov – Kuzmin, Kverkvelia, Lemos, Nabiullin – Ozdoev, Georgiev – Kanunnikov, Eduardo, Karadeniz - Portnyagin
Match prediction
Sturm are a side I know a little bit about, and I know they can be a threat. With Rubin’s poor start to the season, a trip to Austria isn’t the most ideal thing for them. The club will be desperately hoping for a win but their home record in Europe should mean a draw will be a good result for them. I will predict a 1-1 draw.
Follow Tim on Twitter: @FRFussballTim
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