FC Barcelona: 6 Things to Fear About Spartak Moscow

Lionel Messi and Barca
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FC Barcelona and Spartak Moscow will face each other this week at Camp Nou for the Group G UEFA Champions League (UCL) match between the two clubs.

La Blaugrana is ranked number one in the 2012-2013 UEFA Classification. It enjoys the home advantage against Spartak Moscow.

Regardless, nothing is guaranteed in sports. Barcelona striker David Villa admitted in an article published in RT that the match may be difficult.

The last time the two teams faced each other was during the 1993-1994 UCL season. The result was a draw between the two teams in the first match. The second match resulted in a victory for Barca.

I then made the decision to make a slideshow underlining what Barca must fear from Moscow.

An invitation is sent to B/R readers to review a return of the two rivals after almost two decades.

1. Unai Emery

Unai Emery
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Unai Emery is the current coach of Spartak Moscow. Emery may want to prove that victory is possible at Camp Nou.

Emery was manager of the La Liga teams Almeria CF and Valencia CF. The results for both clubs during his managerial period were both losses when up against FC Barcelona.

While it is easy to write off Emery, nothing is solid in the world of sports. Under Emery, Spartak Moscow has four wins and three losses in the Russian Premier League.

Emery, according to RIA Novosti, is a demanding manager. Villa, who once played for Valencia during Emery's tenure attests to Emery's work ethic.

During a training session, Emery stated that his players must improve their playing skills.

The session ocurred after a draw against Fenerbahce at the end of August which was in preparation for a match against Lokomotiv Moscow.

 

 

 

2. Artem Dzyuba

Artem Dzyuba in Spartak Moscow vs Lokomotiv Moscow
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Artem Dzyuba could be another reason why FC Barcelona should fear Spartak Moscow. Dzyuba is a forward who scored 17 goals in the 40 UEFA matches of his career.

Dzyuba was considered by Aston Villa last summer because of his quick style of play. Villa thought of Dzyuba as a winger more than a forward, according to The Daily Mail.

3. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

Diniyar Biyaletdinov: Spartak Moscow vs Rubin Kazan
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Diniyar Biyaletdinov is a midfielder with a powerful and skillful left foot according to UEFA. He has experience in the English and Russian Premier League.

Biyaletdinov has been associated with Everton, Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow. He participated in Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

His current record in UEFA is 11 goals in 61 matches. Biyaletdinov's record in the 2012-2013 Russian Premier League according to ESPN Soccernet is one goal in seven matches so far.

4. Borges Romulo

Borges Romulo Scores Goal for Brazil Against Argentina

While studying and reviewing the different players from Spartak Moscow, I came across this video of Borges Romulo. Borges Romulo is a midfielder who plays for Spartak Moscow and Brazil.

Romulo, according to ESPN Soccernet, scored one goal in two matches for Spartak Moscow. While not familiar with Borges, the video is proof of why La Blaugrana has to beware of him.

5. Dmitri Kombarov

Dmitriy Kombarov in Spartak Moscow vs Lokomotiv Moscow
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Dmitri Kombarov can be a threat to FC Barcelona during the upcoming UEFA Champions League match. When the match between Spartak Moscow and Rubin Kazan was lost, Kombarov scored a comeback.Kombarov scored an equalizer in the 73rd minute and another goal for the victory.

The result was a surprised Rubin goalkeeper and a 2-1 victory for Spartak Moscow.

6. Andres Iniesta Injury

Andres Iniesta
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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, suffered an injury in the adductor muscle of his right thigh. Iniesta is expected to be resting for two weeks.

He received the injury during the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Spain and Georgia. The report was  published in Press Association with a h/t to ESPN.

David Villa may be used in the first match between Barca and Moscow. Iniesta will still be missed in this match.

What could happen? Spartak Moscow may take advantage of Iniesta being out and may go with an aggressive match at Camp Nou.

While it is expected that FC Barcelona will win the match, the lesson should be to never underestimate an opponent. It remains to be seen what will transpire in this first UEFA Champions League match for Group G.

My thanks to the readers of B/R for your time spent reading this Barcelona vs. Spartak Moscow preview slideshow. It is hoped that you enjoyed viewing it.

I would like to wish our readers the best for this week and always!