Published: 5 August, 2009, 11:50
Edited: 5 August, 2009, 11:50
Dynamo Moscow need to avoid defeat at home to Celtic to book their place in the last round of the Champions League qualifiers. The Russian side scored a valuable away goal in Glasgow last week.
Dynamo Moscow’s last excursion into Europe proved to be an unhappy one, as they were hammered by Rangers in 2001 over two legs.
However, things are looking much brighter eight years on, as the Russian club is in the driving seat in its second round Champions League qualifier against the green-and-white half of Glasgow.
Kobelev is able to welcome back captain Dmitry Khokhlov who missed the first leg through suspension. He will more than likely replace the Portuguese midfielder Luis Agiar, who scored against Khimki at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Dynamo’s attack will be spearheaded by Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who has been in excellent form this season, scoring nine goals in just 14 league games.
Celtic FC team captain Gary Caldwell says the Russian international will be a threat.
Despite the 1-0 defeat in Glasgow a week ago, the Scottish side did create a number of decent opportunities, with a few of them falling to Marc Fortune.
With Dynamo holding the advantage going into the second leg, manager Tony Mowbray believes the home side may look to protect their slender advantage rather than attack.
However, Celtic have a woeful away record in Europe, having lost in their last 22 games on the road. Their most recent victory was way back in 2003 against MTK Hungaria.
Therefore, if Celtic are going to make the next round, they'll have to do something they haven't done in six years – win away.
Dynamo may have a slight advantage, given the fact that they are already 16 games into their domestic league, while Celtic have just come out of pre-season.
However, the Muscovites looked very composed in the first leg, and if Andrey Kobelev’s side plays like that again, then they have a good chance of going through.