Rubin Kazan produced one of the shocks of European competition last season when they defeated Barcelona at Camp Nou. Having held the then Champions League title holders in Tatarstan later in the group stage, the Russians have a positive record against the Blaugrana and will be aiming to maintain it when they renew acquaintances with Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday.
The two-time defending RPL champions may be presently seeing their crown slowly slip towards Zenit St. Petersburg’s grasp, but they can boast elite level football this season, while the runaway domestic leaders simply have to make do with the Europa League. However, after a surprise loss against Copenhagen a fortnight ago, Rubin will feel that they cannot afford a slip at home against Barca.
Already one of the multicultural hubs of Russia has gone mad for Barcelona, but Cesar Navas, who is a veteran of last season’s efforts against the Catalans, has warned that similar success to last season should not necessarily be expected. “By signing David Villa the club have improved in the summer, as their attack is more dangerous,” he explained to the media.
As a defender, Navas will be particularly interested in Barca’s attacking options. The Ruby, however, have reverted to the strong defensive unit that coach Kurban Berdyev enjoys, having been a little more expansive than usual last term. After frustrating the Catalans with a backs-to-the-wall performance at the Central Stadium last autumn, they are set to try the same trick nearly 12 months on.
Problem Solvers
Just two matches into the new campaign, questions were being posed over Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side as they succumbed at home 2-0 to Hercules in the Primera Division. It’s something of a measure of the club’s success over the last two years that one defeat, albeit a highly surprising one, could trigger talk of a potential crisis, but it’s also a measure of the stature of the squad how easily such discussion was shrugged off.
Coming off the back of the loss to the newly promoted club, la Blaugrana annihilated Panathinaikos 5-1 in the first round of Champions League fixtures. Having fallen 1-0 behind against the Greeks, the Spanish champions could have been forgiven for wavering but instead they responded to the problem with the kind of dazzling football few teams can produce.
Another awkward moment arrived when Lionel Messi was stretchered off late in the 2-1 success away over Atletico Madrid. Again Barca responded well, defeating Sporting de Gijon at Camp Nou before blowing away Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Basque Lands, despite a bog of a pitch hampering their passing brand of football.
Meeting a side who twice frustrated them last season is a challenge that the Catalans will therefore relish, though they will doubtless be pleased to be going to Russia early in the campaign as opposed to towards the middle of winter, when they made the treacherous trip to Kazan last season. Messi may or may not play – he’s at least made the trip – but whichever 11 players Barca field, they will boast quality and a will to win throughout.
TEAM NEWS
Rubin
Cesar Navas missed the opening group stage game against Copenhagen due to a suspension but returns for this fixture.
Roman Sharonov is the sole serious injury problem as Berdyev welcomed back Vitali Kaleshin, Carlos Eduardo and Bebars Natcho to his panel in the 1-0 win over Alania Vladikavkaz at the weekend.
Barcelona
The big news is that Lionel Messi is in Barcelona’s travelling party for the match in Kazan. Several senior figures, most notably Johan Cruyff, have indicated that the Argentine should not be rushed back following an ankle problem, so it’s doubtful that the 23-year-old will actually take to the field.
Eric Abidal is also in the squad, as is Thiago Alcantara, who featured against Athletic Bilbao. Adriano is missing due to injury, however.
Prediction
Barcelona have travelled to Russia on five occasions previously, and have only recorded one victory. They have, however, gone unbeaten in Europe’s most eastern nation. Tipping Barca to lose would certainly be brave, but winning is certainly not a foregone conclusion, especially against such a determined defensive outfit and potentially without a fully powered Lionel Messi. La Blaugrana will be expected to edge this fixture, but a draw would certainly be no disaster for either side.
Rubin 0-1 Barcelona 
