Rubin kick off season with Europa League test
Rubin Kazan host Israel`s Hapoel Tel Aviv in Kazan on Thursday in a Europa League round of 32 first leg tie - the Russian champion`s first competitive game of the year.
Kurban Berdyev`s side dropped down into the newly-revamped UEFA Cup after finishing third in their Champions League group behind Barcelona and Inter Milan. The Kazan club led the group at one point, and recorded a historic 2-1 away victory over Barcelona.
But the side`s inability to find the net at home - scoring once in three draws - cost them passage into the lucrative knockout phase of Europe`s most prestigious club competition.
"Our guests are in the thick of things," Berdyev told Tatar-Inform, "whereas this is our first match of the season."
"But we have put in lost of work at our pre-season training camps. Another plus is the priceless European experience we gained in the Champions League," he went on. "Our chances are 50-50."
The new Russian season begins in March.
The match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. (14:00 GMT) and will be shown live on Russia`s NTV channel. Rubin can name a full strength side, but begin life without Alejandro Dominquez, the 2009 Russian player of the year. The Argentine forward signed for Valencia in December.
The second leg takes place in Tel Aviv on February 25.
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