Ready to roll in Russia

Russian title-holders FC Spartak Moscow will face what should be their toughest challenge in recent times in the 2002 season, which kicks off today. Spartak have been champions six years running but this season they may not have it quite so easy.

Young guns
Spartak start the new season without midfield player Viktor Bulatov and the prolific Brazilian Luis Robson, both of whom departed over the winter, but head coach Oleg Romantsev has compensated by recruiting several gifted youngsters. There is Dmitry Sychev, just 18, who received a surprise call-up to the Russian squad which travelled to Dublin in February, and also Dmitry Kudrjashov, signed from AS Saint-Etienne, who is expected to start alongside Egor Titov in midfield. On the eve of the new term, Romantsev strengthened further with the signings of Chilean international Marco Villaseca from CSD Colo Colo and Brazilian defender Moses.

Lokomotiv on track
Spartak's main rivals, FC Lokomotiv Moscow, have finished second three times in a row. Ahead of another expected title challenge, Loko have signed Narvik Sirkhaev from FC Anzhi Makhachkala, as well as South African international midfielder Bennet Mnguni and Georgian international striker Georgi Demetradze. Those arrivals, however, are offset by the list of departures - Russian international goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin left for Italy and Hellas-Verona FC while captain Igor Chugainov surprised everyone by joining top-flight newcomers Uralan Elista. Even so, Yuri Semin's team look set to pose the greatest threat to Spartak`s supremacy as they get down to life in their new Lokomotiv stadium in Moscow.

CSKA threat
It may not just be Lokomotiv who push Spartak all the way this season. CSKA Moscow have emerged as a serious threat to their Moscow neighbours following the army club's string of high-profile signings over the winter. Russian internationals Rolan Gusev and Vyacheslav Dayev, as well as exciting prospect Dmitry Kirichenko, were all added to CSKA's star-studded squad in the past three months. Their poor pre-season performances suggest Valery Gazzaev, who is also in charge of Russia's Under-21 team, has yet to find the right blend. But when they do start to play, Gazzaev believes his side can match anyone.

The business end
There will be other clubs looking cause a stir in the Premier-Liga in 2002. FC Krylya Sovetov Samara, FC Torpedo Moscow, FC Zenit St.Petersburg, as well as FC Saturn could all make an impact at the business end of the table. The official line from Zenit is they are seeking a UEFA Champions League spot, while Saturn are aiming for European quailfication. Nevertheless, all four are certainly capable of pulling off a surprise. Speaking of suprises, predicting FC Dinamo Moscow's fortunes over the coming weeks will not be easy - most of their key players, as well as long-time president Nikolay Tolstykh, left the club in the pre-season.
 
New faces
This season's Premier-Liga newcomers include Uralan Elista and FC Shinnik Yaroslavl. While Shinnik are likely to be fighting against relegation, Uralan could well challenge at the top end, having targeted a European place over the next two seasons. Uralan's prospects have been helped by some high-profile acquisitions, including Russian internationals Alexander Filimonov and Igor Chugainov, as well as Dmitry Vyazmikin, last year's Premier-Liga top scorer, and German Lovchev, a young striker signed from Spartak.

Fixture list
The new season kicks off with four matches on Friday. Lokomotiv face FC Alania Vladikavkaz in Moscow and Krylya will entertain Uralan in what should prove the pick of the games on Friday. Elsewhere, Saturn travel to Yaroslav to take on FC Shinnik Yaroslavl, and Spartak will host underdogs FC Rostselmash Rostov-Na-Donu. On Saturday, meanwhile, Torpedo will play FC Sokol Saratov in Moscow. Also in the capital, CSKA will take on crosstown rivals FC Torpedo-ZIL Moscow. Zenit travel to Anzhi Makhachkala, while FC Rotor Volgograd take on Dinamo