Krasnodar vs. Everton: 5 Things Toffees Fans Should Know About the Russian Side
Everton travel into the unknown on Thursday, facing Krasnodar in the second match of their Europa League campaign.
The Russian side entered Group H from Pot 4, handing the Toffees an awkward 4,800-mile round trip to Stadion Kuban, sandwiched between Premier League games at Anfield and Old Trafford.
Everton's 4-1 win over Wolfsburg puts them in first place in the group, just above Krasnodar, who secured an impressive away draw in Lille.
Here's a closer look at Everton's latest Europa League opponents.
A Club on the Rise
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Many fans might not have heard much about Krasnodar simply due to their very recent existence; in fact, they were only founded in 2008.
Playing their games in south-west Russia, sharing a stadium with Kuban Krasnodar, the Bulls—as they are known to their fans—are heavily supported by billionaire owner Sergey Galitsky.
The Russian businessman has helped propel an instant rise, investing heavily in his club's youth academy.
Krasnodar are currently managed by Aleh Konanaw, and have spent three full seasons in the Russian top flight, finishing ninth, 10th and fifth last season (out of 16).
This is their first ever venture into European competition.
Improving Recent Form
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As with their club status, Krasnodar's form has been continually improving.
An impressive fifth-place finish last season seems no fluke, with the Bulls currently sitting sixth in the Russian Premier League, just two points off third.
In European games, they have been prolific, scoring 20 goals during Europa League qualification and conceding just once in six games. That included a surprise 3-0 win over Real Sociedad in the final round to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
At home, Krasnodar have won all three European ties to date, scoring 11 goals and conceding none, and they are one of only four remaining teams to enter the Europa League in the second qualifying round.
In domestic matters, their home form has been a little more patchy, with two wins and two losses from four games. On their travels, they are unbeaten, winning three of five games and conceding just twice.
Another Short-Passing Side
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So how do the Russians play?
As covered by Paul Riley on differentgame, Krasnodar employ a pass-heavy approach, keeping a high line and pinning their opponents back as much as possible.
Indeed, in nine league games played this season, no Russian side has spent more time (32 per cent) in the opposing third of the field. Krasnodar average the third-most short passes per game (406) and the second-fewest amount of long balls (58) in their division, which underlines their approach.
Void of an obvious target man, Konanaw's side are also fairly reluctant crossers, preferring to work the ball into the box. The manager generally selects a fluid front four who look to expose defences with intelligent movement and clever through balls.
Given Everton's preference of sitting deep to draw an opponent out, this should be an intriguing clash of styles.
Key Players to Watch out for
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Like most Russian sides, Krasnodar's XI is often permeated with Brazilians.
As covered in excellent detail on The Executioner's Bong, Joaozinho, Wanderson and Ari often take up three of the four most attacking positions in a 4-2-3-1. Joaozinho and Wanderson are particularly focal, the former most often deployed on the left and the latter leading the line or playing on the right.
Joaozinho created a mammoth 79 chances last season, the most in Russia by an incredible 21 and 41 more than any of his team-mates. He also contributed the third-most assists (nine) and is once again his side's leading creative threat.
The good news for Everton is that the Brazilian is suspended for this game, having been sent off against Real Sociedad. This will severely reduce the Russian side's threat and place the creative onus on Mauricio Pereyra, who will look to pull the strings as his side's No. 10.
Wanderson, Krasnodar's top scorer last year with nine goals, should play ahead of him, although Ari has been preferred in the Europa League and started against Lille.
Elsewhere, Ragnar Sigurdsson is a recent signing from FC Copenhagen, and he anchors an increasingly resilient defence. The centre-back has helped his side concede just six goals in nine league games this season and has seven clean sheets in his past 12 Russian Premier League starts.
Everton Have an Insider!
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In Aiden McGeady, Everton not only have a player familiar with Russian football, but someone who's played Krasnodar on three occasions between 2010 and 2014.
According to Transfermarkt, McGeady registered four assists in the three games he featured in, which included two wins for Spartak Moscow. Samuel Eto'o also faced them twice for Anzhi Makhachkala, scoring twice in the process.
In an interview with the official Everton website, McGeady mentions the Bulls' rapid rise. He also doubts whether Everton will face a particularly hostile atmosphere, stating Krasnodar is not a particularly football-focused city.
With a new stadium not yet completed, an athletics track separates the fans from the pitch, reducing the influence of the crowd.
McGeady still predicts it will be a tough game, highlighting several occasions when his Spartak Moscow side were expected to beat Krasnodar, but came up short.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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