Spartak Moscow v NEC Nijmegen UEFA Cup preview

NEC Nijmegen travel to Luzhniki Stadium to face Spartak Moscow in a UEFA Cup later today. For Myaso success is critical for the dreams of advancing at they presently tied for third in Group D. After defeating legendary Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 they face an intriguing match against NEC Nijmegen of the Eredivisie, who are winless in two matches. NEC is coming off a reaffirming 6-1 FC Volendam however that must be taken with firm understanding that Volendam side has had an extraordinary challenge since being promoted from the Eerste Divisie.

Michael Laudrup's side have certainly shown an inconsistent side over the last six weeks. After the stunning victory over CSKA Moscow they stumbled in the final three matches of domestic competition losing to Lokomotiv Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg and drawing to now-demoted Luch-Energiya Vladivostok. While this late season swoon wasn't the sole responsibility for their inability to qualify for the new Europa League, rest assured that management is expecting success in the present UEFA Cup.

However Myaso's efforts won't be easier as they are hobbled up after the end of a long campaign. Mozart is doubtful for the match with some reports noting he is in Brazil seeking medical treatment and additionally Vladimir Bystrov is not expected back from injury. The club will equally be without Czech Republic international Radoslav Kováč who is in the sin-bin. Russian capped Ivan Saenko will need to be at his best as he leads the Spartak strike-force ot up and comer Aleksandr Prudnikov and fellow international Nikita Bazhenov.

I will report on the match as it concludes.