Vágner Love to continue CSKA affair

It is testament to the measure of success at PFC CSKA Moskva in recent years that the 2008 season will be considered one of relative failure. Although last week's 2-1 defeat of KKS Lech Poznań secured them a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32, domestic bliss was limited to a Russian Cup win and a runners-up spot in the Premier-Liga.

'Bright moments'
While that level of on-pitch achievement may have provoked little more than polite applause at the demanding former army club, Vágner Love's eye-catching performances ensure the team's undisputed star remains immune from critcism. "This was one of my most successful seasons for CSKA," said the Brazilian international, who has picked up two Russian titles, three Russian Cups and the 2004/05 UEFA Cup during four and a half years in Moscow. "Of course, if we count trophies there were much better periods in the club's history, but this term I have had a lot of bright moments. I scored a hat-trick against our fierce rivals Spartak Moskva. There was also the penalties victory against Amkar Perm in the cup final. Besides that, I was the league's top scorer."

'More trophies'
In addition to the five UEFA Cup strikes already to his name, Vágner Love's 20 top-flight goals helped CSKA clinch a place in next season's UEFA Champions League group stage as they finished four points behind champions FC Rubin Kazan. A 4-0 thrashing of Rubin in the penultimate game of the campaign, inspired by a Vágner Love hat-trick, suggests the flamboyant forward's claims of higher ambitions for 2009 are more than just fighting talk. "I'm clearly disappointed by finishing second," he told uefa.com. "If we had won the title, I would have been totally happy. I'll try to achieve more next season in terms of both my personal performance and team results. I want more trophies".

'I'm staying'
That will be music to the ears of CSKA fans who fear their prolific attacker could be tempted to follow former team-mate Jô in departing. His impressive haul of 85 goals in 163 matches since arriving in Russia from SE Palmeiras as a virtual unknown in 2004, means there is no shortage of suitors, while the emergence of 18-year-old Alan Dzagoev and the January addition of Czech teenager Tomáš Necid will only increase competition for places. Vágner Love, however, insists his affair with CSKA will continue for at least another season. "Only CSKA president Evgeny Giner knows if I should leave the club," said the 24-year-old, whose side will attempt to complete their Group H campaign with a 100 per cent record away to AS Nancy-Lorraine on Thursday. "At the moment there are no offers, so I'm staying. My deal runs until summer 2010. I'm not thinking about an extension yet, but I'm 100 per cent happy at CSKA."