The venue should have been the 30,000 capacity Dynamo Stadium in Makhachkala but due to armed conflict in the Dagestan region of Russia UEFA have banned Anzhi from playing their home games at home and alternative venues have been used.
The venues in question have all been in Moscow with the 28,800 Lokomotiv Stadium being used for the group stage of the competition before a switch to the larger 78,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium for the knockout rounds. Playing “home” games 1,000 miles away from home appears to be an issue for the fans – only 12,000 were present to watch the victory over Bundesliga side Hanover – but it doesn’t appear to be an issue for the players who have a 100% record on “home” soil in the Europa League with six clean sheets in seven games and just one goal conceded so far.
Like us, Anzhi finished as runners up in their group behind Liverpool who have now exited the competition. Bankrolled by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov and with former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos as Director of Football working with Guss Hiddink at a coaching level, Anzhi have spent over £150 million since the start of 2011 which has allowed them to sign players like Samuel Eto’o, who earns a reported £350,000 a week.
Newcastle:
Papiss Cisse could miss the game with an illness. These illnesses seem to crop up for a lot of Europa League matches. Fabricio Coloccini is out as is Tim Krul, Haris Vuckic and Ryan Taylor remain sidelined while Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran are ineligible for this competition.
Dan Gosling is available for selection but the biggest news is that Hatem Ben Arfa could make his return after being left out against Swansea although I suspect we’ll see Benny brought off the bench after so long out.
Previously…
There is no history between the two sides and this will constitute as the first competitive game between the two clubs. Anzhi are currently 2nd in the Russian Premier League and, like Metalist Kharkiv, are on a winter break which is scheduled to end after this game but before the return leg at St James’ Park. They too have been keeping in shape via a series of training camps and friendly matches.
Stats and facts:
Mike Williamson will make his 100th appearance for United if he gets called into action either as unlikely starter or as a substitute.
Shola Ameobi will go looking for his 16th European goal for United. He’s miles behind Alan Shearer who notched 30 continental goals for Newcastle but it’s still not a bad contribution from the Mackem slayer.
This will be our 131st European game. To date we’ve won 73 games, lost 30 and drawn the other 27 matches.
The game will be played on a plastic pitch – or artificial surface as they are known these days and United have never won on such a surface having played on it at Luton, QPR and Oldham previously.
Who to watch:
You have to look at the Anzhi attack and start to worry. Expensively assembled they may be but they do the job and score goals. In fact they’ve already notched 26 times compared to United’s 10 (and that includes the qualifying rounds!) so we need to be wary.
Samuel Eto’o is well known. Pace, power, accuracy and a CV that many a player would be proud of including League titles and Champions League winners medals, but he isn’t the only avenue of attack for Anzhi. How about Lacina Traoré, the 6′ 8″ Ivory Coast striker who has scored five goals in the Europa League to add to the nine Eto’o has contributed.
Behind them they have highly-rated Brazilian playmaker Willian who recently signed from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk and can provide the bullets for the two strikers to fire and you can start to understand why they score goals. The focus is clearly on attack with the Russians hence the signing of Willian rather than the replacing of Chris Samba who left Anzhi in January.
That’s not to say they didn’t boost their defensive ranks as Bosnian Emir Spahić was brought in on loan from Sevilla, and with former Real Madrid defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra patrolling in front of the back four don’t expect Anzhi to be too shabby at the back either!
Final thought:
I’m still very mindful of our need for Premier League points and have generally been quite negative about our participation in this competition. But you know what? Stuff it, we won’t get this chance again next season unless we win the **** thing so why not go for it!
To get through we’re going to need an away goal for sure in my opinion. A narrow defeat is not the end of the world providing we get an away goal which as highlighted previously is going to be a tough ask. I don’t buy this “mid-season break” stuff meaning that they are going to to be tired. They’ll be ready and up for this and with Guss Hiddink guiding them it will be a tough ask.
All we can do is give it our best shot and as long as we’ve given that I’ll be happy. We can’t ask for much more so go on lads, give it all you’ve got!
Howay the lads!
Date: Thursday, 7th March, 2013
Time: 5pm UK time – An early start live on ITV4 so don’t forget!
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
trying to find an official release for the squad, seen a 19 man squad without cisse and guti but i’ve also seen a few sites have gouffran and debuchy in the probable line up so can’t take their accuracy for granted
if cisse indeed hasn’t travelled i hope campbell gets some time on the pitch
alanthedog363(Quote)
also bit wary of playing anyone with slight muscle injury’s on a plastic pitch
maybe it’s just me but i always picked up hamstring or groin injuries on them
alanthedog363(Quote)
Tough tough game. I don’t mind losing if we score, but probably with only Shola loping around on his own I’m not too confident. Pardew will leave it too late to bring Hatem on. I’d start him and then take him off after he’s scored.
georgio(Quote)
Je souhaite juste un meilleur entraîneur pour nufc. car grande équipe ici aujourd’hui avec un génie pure classe supérieure et ont besoin massif confiant pour magie. mais la tactique Pardew et le coaching sont très très pauvres. honte …. vraiment … peut-être dans pards futur sera meilleur. … pourquoi ne pas demain
nous pouvons espérer …
djebs9(Quote)
DJEBS9 – it can’t be as bad as that!
georgio(Quote)
ALAN @2 thats my big worry,dont need them at this stage
icedog(Quote)
Ahh, armed conflict was the reason, cheers for that toonsy. I’d like to think that would mean our lads were safe but that might be tempting fate in Russia!
Have to fear for our defence, I tend to think that the big money mercenaries step their game up for European competition as well and Eto’o is a beast. Mbiwa is probably our fastest CB, but Eto’o could skin them all.
Newkie(Quote)
artificial pitches are particularly hard on knees (and skin, if u hit the deck)
M(Quote)
georgio, i saw lot of tactics games…but with pardew …always the same …ba and cisse together on 442 ….i ask my self and try to understand still now …..so many many games like that…long ball…defence lost on the pich…ouf !..
djebs9(Quote)
Agree about the pitch, I wouldn’t have Benny playing on it at all.
richietoon(Quote)
djebs9 are you sure we always played 442????
if so your comment on 4 makes more sense than 9
alanthedog363(Quote)
thanks god for ben arfa with few magie…and ba get out…thanks for sissoko good midfield….hope pards now try to give the real place for hatem on the pich with gouf and cisse in front …cabay tiote and sissoko behind him…this is the , for me ,sorry, the best respond team …4 1 2 1 2 …profile of this players must play like that for success …it s so clearly …but pards have his tactics mind ! let play the genius … 😉
djebs9(Quote)
m done my acl on a plastic pitch too, but that was more down to me 👿
alanthedog363(Quote)
😉 ok alanthedog..
djebs9(Quote)
good read TOONSY…. of course hope winning ..but i don t care europa if the …most important ..no bad injury and help and keep ace on premier league now..pards doing a grat and good job since august…thanks graham care for recrutments ….hba cabs sissoko… ❗
djebs9(Quote)
Toonsy good preview, I bet you getting pissed of letting us now that Willo could make his 100th game 😆
Alan I know Goofy can’t play and I was pretty sure it’s the same with Debuchy
Big Dave(Quote)
Easy stat though Dave 😆
toonsy(Quote)
“…which has allowed them to sign players like Samuel Eto’o, who earns a reported £350,000 a week” 😯
Good work if you can get it….
MDS(Quote)
neither can dave, that was my point, neither cisse or guti have travelled, read a story about a food festival at time square that has been blamed for food poisoning, guti was in a poppadom eating comp but sources believe he has not been effected,
alanthedog363(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<< will take a draw right now
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2013/03/06/72703-32933117/?
but it would well explain his absence, lol
alanthedog363(Quote)
I’m sure it was posted somewheer on here, but here is the the travel squad:
Elliot, Alnwick, Perch, Santon, Steven Taylor, Simpson, Haidara, Marveaux, Obertan, Anita, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Tiote, Mapou, Bigirimana, Cabaye, Gosling, Ameobi, Campbell,
MDS(Quote)
Too much is being made of the pitch. They’re way better now than twenty years ago. No burns from sliding, less bounce. Way better. My guess is no one will notice the difference.
They do have some top players in their squad though and I’ll be really surprised if we keep a clean sheet. Or even a 0-1
georgio(Quote)
GEORGIO
Agree mate, the pitches are better now than they were then, the materials used and technology behind it has improved a huge amount. It would suit players like Marveaux, HBA, Cabaye and Obertan better than a bobbling, muddy pitch, for example, in the early qualifiers or a frozen hard grass pitch IMO.
DJG(Quote)
off topic for a mo,i see ashley could have dropped a ******* switching from virgin to wonga,lending firms have been given 12wks to clean up there act or lose there licences
icedog(Quote)
Pards has already said the pitch will suit our more technical players so he won’t be using that as an excuse should we flop 😉
Good preview Toonsy ,It’s gonna be a toughie for us ,lots of talanted players in their squad . Can’t believe Eto’o gets that much coin ,jammy sod. 😯 . Like everyone else just hope we can score a goal or 2 and bring them back to us for a passionate reception .Gus is a brilliant coach ,helped by the talent at his disposal. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ice@25 ,That ‘ll be right 🙄 😳
KIMTOON(Quote)
The pitches are fine to play on but there’s still debate on the injury side of things, but I guess the club would/should have looked at and checked any concerns if Benny were to feature…hopefully.
richietoon(Quote)
or maybe it’s a master stroke ice, they pay us, they go under, we sell sponsorship again, lol 😈
alanthedog363(Quote)
I don’t know much about artificial pitches except they used to be frowned upon. Obviously they must of improved them over the years ,all the same I hope it doesn’t have a detrimental effect on Benny should he play at all.
KIMTOON(Quote)
KIM its here if you wish to read it
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/business/latest-news/payday-loans-firms-get-12-weeks-to-change-1-5471158
icedog(Quote)
Alan
Will they demand the sponsorship money back though?.. With interest 😯
Andymag(Quote)
ALAN@29,never thought of that mate lol
icedog(Quote)
Kim…They are way better than they used to be, still doesn’t compare to grass like, I guess you just have to trust the people who’s job it is to look after the players… I reckon they may know more than we do…..fecking hope they do anyway or we’re in the ****! 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Richie
It’s in Russia though, how modern are the artificial pitches gunna be?
Andymag(Quote)
Ice funny you mention that, did you read the Branson story last week that they wen’t asked about re-sponsoring they were like us heard nowt until it was made public that wonga were the new sponsors. Branson said that they would have liked to remain sponsors, so I wouldn’t be surprised if wonga have allowed sports direct to continue having the place covered with their tacky signage
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy @ 17 😆
Moreno(Quote)
Can’t see a good result tomorrow. Love the optimism but Elliot is either going to have the game of his life or concede a couple, We need to attack to get the away goal. I would say 2-1 them and I would be ok with that.
Moreno(Quote)
DAVE aye mate read that,he said he would have liked to match the offer too,something underhand going on there imo,dave you didnt give me a answer on the last thread @99 😀 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Andy…Probably more so than owt over here.
richietoon(Quote)
I have a very bad feeling about this. I think they are going to walk over his. Hiddink is a magician and he is working with some serious firepower!
griff(Quote)
i cannot see why they play eto on the right wing the few times ive saw them play,i know they have a c/f about ten feet tall like 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
A very difficult match for us. If Willo is in there and we play a fairly weak midfield it will be 2 or 3 for them. We will struggle to score so a very difficult hill to climb at home. I think this is it for Europe this season. A decent run though considering we have 1 decent cf and it took until January to sort the team out.We always do things backwards it seems. Finish 5th, then put a decent team together and finish in the bottom half the following season instead of building properly from last summer on. Strange owner and drinking buddy. Had to laugh yesterday at ManU. They finally got a bad decision go against them from a foreign ref at home. Usually they get away with at least 1 ignored penalty in their box per home game. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 they said (pardew) some of those players in the summer they could not get,what he should have said is they woudnt pay the money to get them in the summer think they have got away with it like (just) 😉
icedog(Quote)
I think some is the key word there ice mate. And you’re spot on, they wouldn’t pay for players. As you say they are just about getting away with it, but to me it’s another lost season. Many poor displays, no Europe next season, no decent cup games. Not much of a record for an owner who supposedly had a 5 year plan when he arrived about 5 years ago is it? I don’t think we should forget that. Next season is a huge test for the owner and his management team in my opinion. No more excuses accepted for me.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@ GEORDIETWO
yeah i saw that what made me laugh was the silly man utd surporters were shocked he got sent off lmao red all year long for me
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Ice sorry mate im on me phone so I will check it later when i’m finished
Big Dave(Quote)
TOON@46 they have always apply the rule diff in europe if you show studs your gone mind at the same time i would have been most upset if it was a toon player rule or no rule 😉
icedog(Quote)
Aye TAE @46. Apparently Fergie is in shock. He never believed a call would go against him at home. 😆 He should have to handle some of the claptrap we’ve had to deal with over the years. I remember a game in Chelsea a few years back where one of their forwards was at least 2 or 3 yards offside with the linesman looking straight at it and the goal was allowed to stand against us. We lost of course. 👿
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Going to be a ‘technical team’ reckons pards;
Elliott,
Simpson, Mbwia, Taylor, Santon
Cabaye, Anita, Marv,
HBA, Ameobi, Obertan
Liam southern toon(Quote)
So we will likely get beat maybe 2-0
Liam southern toon(Quote)
not sure but i think that ref sent off john terry last yr,maybe he doesnt like english teams 😀
icedog(Quote)
You think we’ll risk Saylor Liam? I’m not so sure. And Hatem probably won’t start. I can see Marveaux, Anita, Haidara, Simpson, Ameobi, Obertan, and possibly Sissoko or Cabaye starting. Yes I agree with you 2-0 to them if we play hard.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes I think that’s right icedog. He was the same ref who sent Terry off. Will this make Fergie re-think retirement? I doubt it. ManU played a very good first half I have to admit. The passing in that game was brilliant to watch. Ronaldo is unbelievably quick. If they do get him back Man City will have no chance of taking back the title. It’s good to see Chelsea and Arsenal in such disarray. Can we compete for top 6 next season? Not sure with this manager and owner but we must be in the top half by the end of Novermber or Pardew should be gone.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I wouldn’t begrudge a ref sending JT off, good ref imo 😉
richietoon(Quote)
G2 yes i do think fergie will go upstairs with gill leaving this yr mate 😉
icedog(Quote)
i see pardew has said he left cissie out as hes been feeling sick? and jonas knee reacts badly to this type of surface 😯
icedog(Quote)
Ice how do you think we’ll do against Stoke? I would think a win is in order as we are playing fairly well and Stoke have struggled lately. Would love to see Benny and Cisse both score. Let’s throw one in for Gouffy while we’re at it. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 huth being out will be a help plus hes a dirty git,i never forcast been toon fan for so many yrs i find it comes back and bites your *** mate
icedog(Quote)
Aye I have some teeth marks down there as well ice mate. There have been some ugly ones over the years haven’t there? Still we finally have a decent squad with only a couple of holes remaining. Surely a cup run is in order for the older supporters especially? I can remember back to going to my first few matches in the 60’s and the Fairs Cup win but that’s far too long. We should have won something with Keegan or Robson. Still I haven’t lost the faith mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 me too mate,i was a lucky lad and got a ticket and went to the away leg in the final,never to forget bobby m did us proud,your right its far far to long but i live in hope
icedog(Quote)
off for tea back soon
icedog(Quote)
Andymag says:
March 6, 2013 at 16:18
Richie
It’s in Russia though, how modern are the artificial pitches gunna be?
richietoon says:
March 6, 2013 at 16:30
Andy…Probably more so than owt over here.
Yeah, I reckon Richie is right
I noticed in a recent article on the official site ( http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/News/Gallery ) that the Russians have something called a 4G (fourth generation?) surface.
We’ve also got an indoor artificial pitch at Benton, and we could have spent some time earlier this week training on that, but we chose not to (probably because it’s an ‘earlier generation’ surface so it’s not very good).
We decided instead to use the facilities of the Gosforth Rugby Football Club, because they’ve also installed a 4G surface for the benefit of their players
As Richie said, there’s still a debate about the injury side of things, but I think it would be a good start if they ripped up the ‘old generation’ indoor playing surface at Benton and replaced it with something a bit more modern instead. Maybe then we could look forward to having a squad that’s a little bit less injury-prone?
Chris G(Quote)
Speaking of ending our cup ‘drought’, has anyone else seen that betting ad that goes on about betting on “old feuds” and then there’s a scene where a team in black and white stripes bury a wreath that says ‘fairs cup 1969’ and the narrator says that “it’ll be there year”? Wonder who they are talking about 😆 , saw it the other day and for some reason felt it was a sign that we were gunna win the Europa 😀
Andymag(Quote)
Chris G
**** that’s why so many of our players are injured isn’t it? 😡 Invest in a new one Mike 😕
Andymag(Quote)
Too bloody right Andymag, let’s win something with a cup attached to it. I still love the FA cup competition most of all. That one means a lot to all of us I think. Some of us old buggers want to see it happen sooner rather than later. And a new rug for the Benton ground is surely in order as well. What about using some of that new Wonga money next season Mike? And why didn’t we give Virgin a chance to counter offer instead of switching? Is something shady going on there?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ice ,thanks for the link ,interesting stuff.
Ice ,Cisse’s feeling sick eh , must of been reading Micheal 12’s rants about him on here 🙄 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Off for a while now. Be back later if I can.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 @66 Totally agree FA cup is the one I’d love us to win ,still think it’s special . It bugs me that a lot of the top 4 don’t take it seriously until the later stages ,then one of the gets usually goes onto win it 🙄 👿 . Having said all that I wouldn’t turn my nose up to any cup 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon, I reckon the FA Cup could be easier to win than the Europa League….
But we’re not going to win either of them 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
GT (for when ya get back 😉 )
, might even get Virgin money back to offer us what Wonga were 😎 .
Ashley’s shrewd businessman senses kicked in knowing that Wonga are gunna lose their licence in 12 weeks so we get to keep the sponsorship money they gave us but don’t have any association with them
Andymag(Quote)
ANDY stop building my hopes up 😀 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
i see pardew did not want to take shola as he cannot play on that surface 😯 he cannot play on any surface imo
icedog(Quote)
Icedog, would like to see these wuzzies kicking uphill on Condy Road with a proper caser covered in 2″ of mud :-). Cannot play on astroturf…. 😳 😳 😳
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM too bloody true mate bunch of fairys never even wore a pair of shin guards in my life,mind ime pleased i was a winger,that bloody ball made your eyes water if you head it on the valve 🙁
icedog(Quote)