Published: 24 November, 2009, 13:01
Edited: 24 November, 2009, 16:03
After retaining their Russian premier league crown, Rubin could make it into the history books again in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
They will become only the second Russian side to reach the knockout stages if they beat Dynamo Kiev and Inter Milan win at Barcelona.
With the smell of champagne still on their shirts, Rubin lie second in Group F, just a point behind leaders Inter.
“Nobody is relaxed. Achieving the result will be our main priority in the game against Dynamo. And, of course, the game will tell whether we’ll attack or defend on Tuesday,” Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev stressed.
Although the Russians lost 3-1 to Dynamo in Kiev, Tatarstan team’s boss says they have learnt from their mistakes.
“We’ve analyzed the first game. And if you ask me whether Rubin has changed since then, my answer will be ‘yes’ as we became a lot faster,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
Berdyev also has a full squad to choose from, with striker Alejandro Domingues back from suspension.
Meanwhile, Dynamo are without two injured central defenders Yevhen Kha-cheridi and Leandro Almeida.
The last Russian side to make the knockout stage was Spartak Moscow back in 1995.
With two games left, all four sides in this group still have a chance of progressing, but Rubin will be hoping Inter can get a result at Nou Camp this evening.
They will be fielding former Barca forward Samuel Eto’o up front, while the reigning champions from Catalonia will make fitness calls on Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.