Spartak prepare for one last push

Thirty-eight days after their Russian title hopes were dashed on the last weekend of the season, FC Spartak Moskva will field a much-changed side when they finally sign off for 2007 at Toulouse FC on Wednesday.

Poor results
No Russian team has ever played a European fixture as late as 19 December, and that could go against already-qualified Spartak as they attempt to win Group E. Their Premier-Liga rivals FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Zenit St. Petersburg were both beaten on Matchday 4, while PFC CSKA Moskva finished bottom of their UEFA Champions League section.

Post-season fatigue
Post-season fatigue is undoubtedly a factor, as Spartak forward Artem Dzyuba explained: "To be honest, we just want to play the game against Toulouse and then have a well-earned rest. We have no problems with physical fitness, but we're exhausted mentally. Everything is getting harder. The good news is we have a chance to show something for our final game."

Trio rested
Spartak have spent ten days at a training camp in Spain, albeit without goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, captain Yegor Titov and key striker Roman Pavlyuchenko who have all been given an early holiday by coach Stanislav Cherchesov. Martin Jiránek, Mozart, Radoslav Kováč, Maxym Kalynychenko and Renat Sabitov are injured, while question marks hang over Florin Soava, Fedor Kudryashov and Nikita Bazhenov.

Bystrov returns
One familiar face who could appear in France, however, is Russian international winger Vladimir Bystrov after three months out recovering from knee ligament damage. A win against Group E strugglers Toulouse will guarantee Spartak, the Premier-Liga runners-up, first place in the section – and, in theory, an easier opponent in Friday's Round of 32 draw in Nyon.