MSK Zilina vs Spartak Moscow preview - Hapal not keen on pointless adventure

Posted Wednesday, December 08, 2010 by PA

MSK Zilina boss Pavel Hapal is desperate for his team to avoid the ignominy of finishing their debut Champions League group stage campaign without a point.

The Slovakian champions are yet to get off the mark in Group F heading into their final fixture at home to Spartak Moscow night.

It has been a rough introduction to life in Europe's premier club competition for Hapal's side who have conceded 17 goals in five games, including a 7-0 drubbing by Marseille in their last home encounter.

Unsurprisingly, the Sosoni are therefore condemned to finish bottom of the group with Spartak six points ahead to sew up a Europa League place.

"We want to win," Hapal said at a press conference.

"While we have had to drink from a bitter cup in this competition so far, on Wednesday we want to be victorious.

"It may still be a success if we draw, because that will be a point. But the level of that success will depend on how well we play."

Despite their poor record there have been moments to savour for Zilina during the campaign, most notably when they led at leaders Chelsea a fortnight ago.

Babatounde Bello fired them ahead before second-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and a late Florent Malouda winner denied the minnows a famous point.

"Sure, we wanted to have some points on the board before the last game. We have played well enough for that to be the case," Hapal added.

"For example in Marseille and London we could have got points while at home to Chelsea we also had a good game.

"We were completely overrun in Moscow and at home to Marseille. We regret these defeats, especially the loss (to Marseille) in front of our home fans."

Hapal will be without Stefan Zosak and Admir Vladavic for the game, which is set to be played in sub-zero conditions.

The temperature in Zilina has fallen as low as minus 15 in recent days, although such conditions are unlikely to worry the Russian visitors.

While Valeri Karpin's side may be used to such low temperatures anyway, the team has spent the past week preparing for the game across the border at the training facilities of the Hungary national team.

Karpin believes the base has provided the ideal preparation as they aim to sign off their final match of 2010 with a win.

"Hungary was the right choice. We are only a few hours by bus from Zilina," Karpin told the club's official website www.spartak.com.

"It is our last match of the season and we have been able to train at a very modern facility.

"We almost feel like we are at home here."