Liverpool don’t scare Spartak Moscow, says Massimo Carrera

  • Spartak Moscow have to beat Liverpool to reach the Champions League last 16
  • Favourites Liverpool are unbeaten on home soil in all competitions since April
  • Underdogs Spartak have not won away in Europe since beating Ajax 1-0 in 2011
  • Liverpool have scored 33 goals in 10 matches but Spartak’s manager isn’t scared
  • The boss said: ‘We respect them, but we don’t fear them. We have good players’

Spartak Moscow coach Massimo Carrera insists his side does not fear Liverpool at Anfield ahead of their must-win Champions League tie.

Only victory can secure passage to the knockout stage for the Russian club but their European record – combined with the Reds’ home form – makes it a tough ask.

Although Spartak have lost just once in 19 matches, they have won only six of their last 40 Champions League games and not registered a European away victory since beating Ajax 1-0 in the Europa League in March 2011.

Spartak Moscow boss Massimo Carrera has insisted that his team are not scared of Liverpool

Spartak, who trained at Anfield on Tuesday, must win to progress in the Champions League

They have not won away in Europe since 2011 but Carrera spoke bullishly in a press conference

They have not won away in Europe since 2011 but Carrera spoke bullishly in a press conference

'We respect them, but we don't fear them,' Carrera said. 'We have good players of our own'

‘We respect them, but we don’t fear them,’ Carrera said. ‘We have good players of our own’

Dutchman Quincy Promes (centre), who was rested last weekend, is one of Spartak's star men

Dutchman Quincy Promes (centre), who was rested last weekend, is one of Spartak’s star men

Add to that the fact Liverpool, the competition’s second-highest scorers heading into the final round of matches, have not lost at home since April and are unbeaten in 12 European games at Anfield – in a run dating back to October 2014 when Real Madrid were victorious – and the stakes are even higher for the visitors.

‘We are aware that we are up against a very strong opponent,’ Carrera told his pre-match press conference.

‘We will try to break Liverpool down and try to stick to our gameplan to cause them problems. We know how much experience Liverpool have in competitions like these.

‘We’re going to face great players with a great atmosphere inside the squad. We will face a very strong team, but we respect the opponent and the fans of Liverpool.

‘We respect them, but we don’t fear them. We have good players of our own.

‘It’s a big game for us tomorrow. We will see what happens.’

The former Juventus, Atalanta and Italy defender gave his side the best chance of victory by resting key forward Quincy Promes at the weekend in order for him to be fresh for this challenge.

Holland international Promes was injured for their Moscow meeting back in September but his eight goals in 16 matches this season make him the visitors’ main threat.

Carrera also has other attacking options available with Ze Luis and Luiz Adriano in contention to start.

Promes was seen in conversation with Russian midfielder Denis Glushakov during training

Promes was seen in conversation with Russian midfielder Denis Glushakov during training

Spartak will start as big underdogs against a Reds side who have scored 33 goals in 10 games 

Spartak will start as big underdogs against a Reds side who have scored 33 goals in 10 games 

But the Russian champions side have lost just once in their last 19 matches in all competitions

But the Russian champions side have lost just once in their last 19 matches in all competitions

Roman Zobnin showed off his footwork with some ball juggling on Merseyside on Tuesday

Roman Zobnin showed off his footwork with some ball juggling on Merseyside on Tuesday

Spartak's players appeared to be in a relaxed mood on the eve of their must-win UCL match

Spartak’s players appeared to be in a relaxed mood on the eve of their must-win UCL match



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