UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE2020-21
The outsiders
Recently crowned Danish champions for
the third time in six years, theJutland club
are chomping at the bit after securing
their first Champions League qualification.
And no one can say they do not fully
deserve it. All the teams they had to beat
to arrive here (Bulgaria’s Ludogorets,
Young Boys of Berne and Slavia Prague)
have participated in the Champions
League in recent times and arguably are
better resourced. They are reaping the
benefits of their data-driven approach
to scouting for inexpensive players.
What are Priske’s main priorities?
His No.1 aim is to have a “defence of
iron”. He especially wants a strong core
to his back four and he has that in spades
with centre-backs Alexander Scholz and
skipper Erik Sviatchenko (ex-Celtic). The
pair have received rave reviews in the past
few months. In his preferred 4-2-3-1 or
4-3-3, Priske insists on a compact shape
and everyone springing into pressing
mode as soon as the ball is lost.
Logic says that The Railwaymen will find
it hard to make any sort of impression in
the Champions League. Marko Nikolic,
who took over from legendary boss Yuri
Semin in May, has not often lost in his
time in charge, but will be dissatisfied
with the team’s frequent failure to turn
matchday superiority into victories. Both
thesystemshehasusedthusfar–a
4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 – have looked short
of synchronicity. Collectively they remain
a work in progress, which could turn out
to be fatal against the continental elite.
Will Lokomotiv fans be pleased
with the club’s transfer activity?
No, they will feel more than a little fearful.
They’ve lost a great deal of experience
with Germany centre-back Benedikt
Howedes retiring, key midfield link-man
Joao Mario returning to Inter after a loan
spell and maverick Peruvian forward
Jefferson Farfan given his release papers.
In a further blow, attacking midfielder,
Aleksey Miranchuk, 24, left for Atalanta.
LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW
Lokomotiv flying the flag for Moscow
MIDTJYLLAND
Minnows with big dreams
Smolov...Back and
with a point to proveCOACH
Brian Priske
Now in his second
season in charge
of Midtjylland. Has
Champions League
experience as an
assistant coach to
Staale Solbakken
at FC Copenhagen
in 2016-17.
KEYMAN
Awer Mabil
Elusive Australian
international winger
of South Sudanese
descent. Moved to
Midtjylland from
Adelaide United
back in 2015.
YOUNGSTER
TO WATCH
Evander
Much-coveted
Brazilian attacking
midfielder reported
to be on the radar
of a lot of teams in
France and Belgium.COACH
Marko Nikolic
Serb, whose previous
stations include
Vojvodina and
Partizan Belgrade
in his homeland,
Olympija Ljubljana
in Slovenia and
Hungarian outfit
Fehervar.
KEYMAN
Fedor Smolov
Russian international
striker now back with
Lokomotiv after a
spellonloaninLa
Liga with Celta Vigo.
Scored v Barcelona
and Real Madrid
in 2019-20.
YOUNGSTER
TO WATCH
Jasurbek
Jaloliddinov
Teenage Uzbek
dribbling machine
(ex-Bunyodkor) with
asuperbleftfoot.One to watch...
Anwer Mabil