Spartak Moscow’s best players have sensationally been left behind in Russia ahead of tonight’s Europa League match.
Rangers will go toe-to-toe with the Russian giants at Ibrox tonight in match-day three of the competition. Spartak have been in turmoil in recent weeks and have only just sacked former manager Massimo Carrera.
Fitness coach Raul Riancho will take charge of the game tonight, but won’t be the permanent manager. Riancho, however, has claimed that as many as seven players won’t feature tonight because they haven’t traveled with the squad.
It’s unclear as of yet who didn’t make the journey with the squad, but confidence is sure to now be even greater in the Ibrox camp. Speaking in his pre-match media confidence, Riancho confirmed the omissions.
“We left seven players behind in Moscow to prepare for a very important game with Rubin on Monday. Because of the tight schedule, we want to give them time to prepare for this important match.
“I’m not only thinking about the match with Rangers. I have to think about the future as well.”
Not the only absentees
The seven players are interestingly not Spartak’s only absentees for the game. Brazilian forward Luiz Adriano is still suspended after being banned for three matches during a failed Champions League qualification bid. The striker threw a punch at an opposition player, and hasn’t featured in Europe since.
Moscow will also be without their captain Denis Glushakov and Russian international Andrey Yeshchenko, who are also both unavailable. The pair were recently sent down to the youths to train after liking abusive posts about their former manager on social media.
It’s interesting to see so many set-backs arrive like this for a particular side. Spartak are truly in free-fall, and appear not to be putting too much focus on their match at Ibrox. The Russians, however, are likely to be technically sound regardless, and complacency can’t creep in for Rangers.
Spartak are toiling both at home and domestically. As well as sitting bottom of the Europa League group with Villarreal, they’re also languishing in seventh in the Russian Premier League.
It’s all adding up to a chance that Rangers have to take tonight. Spartak are likely to be missing a beat tonight, and the Gers have to capitalise on their frailties from the first whistle.
It’s going to be a big night, but Spartak have provided Rangers with a handy boost.
