Champions League bhoy
Aiden McGeady will return to the Spartak Moscow side to face Chelsea tomorrow.
The former Celtic winger missed Friday’s 3-0 home win over Alania Vladikavkaz due to a leg knock picked up on international duty but has been declared for to face the English champions.
A full house is expected in the Luzhniki Stadium which will carry painful memories for Chelsea who lost the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United in the same stadium.
The grass that John Terry slipped on taking a penalty that would have taken the big cup to London for the first time has been replaced by artificial turf with both teams going into the match with 100% Champions League records.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will make a late decision on his side who will be without Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and defender Alex.
The Italian admitted: “We don’t have important players, but we are able to play a good, physical match and I don’t think we have a problem with a reaction from the game against Aston Villa.
“We’ll put out a very good line-up tomorrow. We are used to playing again after three days, we don’t have a problem with our travel and I think all the players are fit and had a good rest after the game.
“I can’t give the line-up because we want to try the pitch, see if the players are comfortable to play there. I will take the decision after the training session.
“Valeri Karpin is doing a very good job here with Spartak Moscow – they are a good team.
“They have a good mix of Brazilian players and Russian players. Brazilians have technical ability and Russians have more physical skills, it is a good combination
Spartak will be missing their own Alex, a Brazilian midfielder, but will look to the Brazilian strike pairing Ari and Wellington to deliver the points.
Valeri Karpin the Spartak boss said: “We like playing attacking football but not risky football. We have our plan and it is up to the players to carry it out.
“Chelsea are one of the top five clubs in the world but no team is unbeatable and we believe that we can win tomorrow night.”
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