LOSC host debutants Krasnodar

LOSC Lille have scored consistently in their past meetings with Russian opponents but can expect a tricky UEFA Europa League Group H opener against newcomers FC Krasnodar.

Form guide
• LOSC have scored twice in each of their three previous games against Russian sides.

• LOSC have not won in their last five European home games (D1 L4) since beating FC København 2-0 in the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League play-offs. They have not played in this competition since reaching the round of 32 in 2010/11.

• European debutants Krasnodar scored nine goals in their first two European away games, though a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad de Fútbol in the play-offs ended their 100% run in UEFA competitions.

Trivia and links
• Krasnodar's neighbours FC Kuban Krasnodar also made it to the UEFA Europa League group stage as European debutants last season. They kicked off with an away defeat and did not make it to the round of 32.

• LOSC's Montenegrin centre-back Marko Baša has experience of Russian football having joined his current club after a spell at FC Lokomotiv Moskva (2008-11) – Krasnodar midfielder Marat Izmailov's first club.

• LOSC's Divock Origi scored his only goal for Belgium in the Red Devils' 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage game against Russia.

The coaches
• As a midfielder, LOSC coach René Girard won three titles and two French Cups with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the 1980s. After a long spell coaching national age-group teams, he won Ligue 1 as Montpellier Hérault SC boss in 2011/12, moving to Lille in July 2013.

• Krasnodar coach Oleg Kononov was a journeyman player who established his reputation as a coach by helping FC Sheriff win three Moldovan league titles while serving as an assistant between 2005 and 2008. He steered FC Karpaty Lviv into the UEFA Europa League in 2010/11, and took charge at Krasnodar in 2013.