Source: Team_Talk
Spartak short for Blues battle
Spartak Moscow are in the midst of an injury crisis ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Chelsea tomorrow night.[LNB] The Russians lost 2-0 to the Blues in Moscow a fortnight ago and defeat in London would leave them six points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's side in Group F.[LNB]Coach Valery Karpin is already without defenders Sergei Parshivlyuk and Martin Stranzl and they suffered a further blow when striker Ari tore a thigh muscle in the 1-0 win over FC Zenit St. Petersburg.[LNB]The Brazilian striker, 24, has been ruled out for at least a fortnight and will miss Spartak's vital game against the English champions.[LNB]"After our first look at the injury, it appears Ari could be out for a long time," said Karpin.[LNB]Defender Parshivlyuk, 21, has been ruled out for the rest of the year with knee ligament damage.[LNB]"The time scale of his recovery will be confirmed later," said a club spokesman. "But it is clear he will not be available this year."[LNB]Parshivlyuk had been ever-present in the UEFA Champions League Group F, as Spartak began their campaign in a winning style over Marseille and MSK Zilina.[LNB]He joins Nikita Bazhenov and Kirill Kombarov on the sidelines as Spartak look for revenge against the Blues.[LNB]Goals from Yury Zhirkov and Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea a 2-0 win in the Luzhniki Stadium although Brazilian midfielder Alex, who missed the that game with a thigh injury, is likely to return for the Russians.[LNB]Karpin claimed his side were in awe of Chelsea in the Moscow and wants them to take the fight to the Premier League side tomorrow.[LNB]"We played much better after the break than in the first half," said Karpin.[LNB]"We were too scared of our opponents, we had given them too much respect, but if we play them like we did in the second half in Luzhniki and like we played Zenit in the second half, then we have a chance."[LNB]Spartak have won both their league games since the defeat to Chelsea.[LNB]They beat Zenit St Petersburg and followed that with a 2-1 success over Rostov where winger Aiden McGeady scored an injury-time penalty.[LNB]Spartak are looking to qualify for their second consecutive Champions League and with teams above them in the Russian League dropping points, their chances are improving.[LNB]There are five games remaining and Spartak are eight points off automatic qualification and seven away from making the preliminary qualifying rounds next season.[LNB]Former Celtic winger McGeady is confident they can make it.[LNB]"There is still hope to fight for second place," said the Republic of Ireland international.
