Rivals seek revival in Moscow

Lokomotiv stutter
Lokomotiv will be hoping the game offers respite from the Russian Premier-Liga, where they have gone five games without a win following a home goalless draw against FC Shinnik Yaroslavl at the weekend. Their winless run has seen PFC CSKA Moskva move level with them at the summit.

Victory 'crucial'
Nevertheless, coach Vladimir Eshtrekov will be hopeful his side can reverse that trend against Espanyol. "Our form has dipped in the Russian league, but we must switch our minds to the UEFA Cup. Any victory will boost the team mentally and give us confidence, which is crucial now. Espanyol are a solid team with many good international players, but we will play our own game."

Sá dropped
Espanyol arrive in Moscow on the back of their own disappointing domestic run. They suffered their third defeat in four league games at the weekend after Cádiz CF came away with a 2-0 win, in a game where right-back Armando Sá was dismissed. Sá has been omitted from the squad to face Lokomotiv for tactical reasons, and to make matters worse for Miguel Ángel Lotina's side they now lie 17th in the Primera División with just two wins in seven.

Player responsibility
Winger Juanfran believes the players must shoulder the blame for the recent poor results and is desperate to put the situation right. "It's our own fault," he said. "We have looked at ourselves and said what we think and hopefully it will help us to wake up. Now we are just looking forward. The situation hurts me because the fans expect a lot from us, so we must start winning soon for them and for ourselves."